The province is moving ahead on upgrades to the Trans-Canada Highway near Portage la Prairie. Brandon East MLA Drew Caldwell says the improvements will stretch from 1 kilometre west of the Yellowhead Highway to the west junction of Highway 1A. Caldwell says this work is important for the region.

"The idea is to provide for better traffic flow and increase safety for motorists, so it is a fairly significant investment." says Caldwell. "It's $6.2 million dollars. It will help us move traffic more safely and that's always important."

Caldwell says the province is investing in the upgrades to the Trans-Canada Highway under the Manitoba Building and Renewal Plan to meet Manitoba's critical infrastructure needs including flood protection, municipal projects, health centres and schools, as well as roads.

The construction will be done by Mulder Construction and Materials Ltd. at a cost of $6.2 million, will create an estimated 70 person years of employment and will:

- cover a distance of 7.6 km from one km west of PTH 16 to the west junction of PTH 1A, near Portage la Prairie;

- include paving of the westbound lanes; and

- traffic will be able to continue using the existing lanes and no detour will be needed;

- while construction is underway, traffic will be asked to slow down and proceed with caution;

- flagpeople and signs will be in place to guide motorists; and

- the project is expected to be completed by the end of this construction season, weather permitting.