Manitoba, Ottawa invest $291 million in highways infrastructure

Some 350 kilometres of highways will be improved under a joint funding agreement announced this week by Manitoba and Ottawa. The agreement will see Ottawa invest $143,967,500 through its legacy infrastructure program, the New Building Canada Fund. Manitoba will invest $147,442,500.

Much of the expenditure will go to improving highways. New lanes will be added to Highway 75 at the Emerson border crossing to separate commercial truck and regular vehicles. New lanes will also be added to Highway 6, at the Perimeter Highway.

The projects will rollout over the next five years. A list of the projects can be seen here.

Some projects have already been tendered, worth $10.4 million, and two others are scheduled to be tendered this year.

Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler made special note at the announcement Wednesday in Headingley of the importance of Manitoba’s highways to the economy and the daily needs of Manitobans.

“Our investment in these highway projects re-enforce the Province of Manitoba’s commitment to support economic growth and will have a positive impact on Manitoba’s economy for years to come,” Schuler said in a government release.

“These critical investments provide Manitobans with the tools needed to strengthen access in and out of surrounding communities, ensuring residents have a safe and healthy place to live, work and raise a family.”

MP Doug Eyolfson underscored the importance of resolving Canada’s, and Manitoba’s, infrastructure investment deficit.

“Nationally, we do have an infrastructure deficit. It’s enormous. Manitoba is one of those provinces that have infrastructure to catch up on,” Eyolfson said.

Manitoba’s highways need about $6 billion in repairs.

“This investment agreement recognizes that strategic highways move people to jobs and products to market,” MHCA President Chris Lorenc said. “Minister Schuler notes that some 3,000 jobs over the length of the agreement will be created by this announcement. We think it is equally important to note that good, efficient trade-transportation infrastructure grows the economy, and that creates long-term, reliable employment for many more Manitobans. We hope this beneficial announcement is the start of more to come.”