Discussions are currently taking place over the rerouting of a backup Manitoba Hydro line renewal project of a 90-year-old system near Portage la Prairie.

The line provides backup power for the area in case a storm takes out the primary line. It passes through the intersection of River Road and Crescent Road East across the lake and the island toward Keeshkeemaquah.

Several of the new towers replacing the older versions were damaged. During the repairs, the issue of Long Plain's future housing development came to the surface.

"The line was originally built in the 1930s. From then until now, safety standards have increased," says Media Relations Officer Bruce Owen. 

Owen says the problem they're facing is that the line that runs between Portage and Brandon, assisting other communities in-between, requires 30 feet easement that is not possible due to expansion of housing in Long Plain.

"So, we're looking now at a temporary rerouting of it, and continuing our discussions with Long Plain and other private landowners in the Portage area, to find a permanent solution for this line and a permanent route which meets today's safety standards over the next couple of years."

Long Plain First Nation Chief Dennis Meeches says the halt caused by the storm was fortunate, seeing as they otherwise may have been unable to see the line rerouted.  He notes the land is valuable First Nation property that would never have been able to accommodate future housing expansion, otherwise.