The Manitoba government has created a new online interactive map that displays highway projects that are underway in communities across Manitoba.

The online tool also includes project pages that contain fields with information about the locations, project start and completion dates, and provides information to Manitobans and motorists on infrastructure in their home and destination areas. The province's latest budget sees $1.5B committed over the next three years to improve Manitoba highways, roads, and structures.

"Over the next 10 years, Manitoba will be recognized as a national transportation hub, linking east to west, north to south and enabling strong economic activity within and across our borders," says Infrastructure Minster Ron Schuler. "The work currently being undertaken will enhance transportation mobility and connectivity, ensure safety and reliability across the highway network, and enable industry expansion that leverages Manitoba’s diverse economy."

These major investments include:
• paving eight kilometres of the Trans-Canada Highway on the eastbound and westbound lanes from PTH 26 to 0.8 km west of PR 334 (St. François Xavier to Headingley);
• paving 29 km of PTH 34 from the Trans-Canada Highway to PTH 16;
• paving 28 km of PTH 6 from Wabowden Access to Sasagiu Rapids; and
• a structure replacement on PTH 1A at the Portage la Prairie bypass 7.6 km east of PR 305 with a total project cost.

Portage la Prairie MLA Ian Wishart says he is pleased to see investment in the region.

"I think it's indicative of the fact that Portage is kind of a key cog in in the whole infrastructure and transportation system in Manitoba. I mean (Highways) 1 and 16 come together here. They're both major roadways. There's a number of others that feed in from both south and northwest and it's some recognition, I think, that we're important in the transportation hub," he says. "It's really nice to see some of these projects moving along and improve transportation. I know it's a little frustrating for people when you have to work or drive through the work areas on a regular basis, but I encourage people to be patient. In the long run, we're getting improvements and it can be challenging. The trip to Winnipeg these days definitely takes longer because of construction."

As for timelines when it comes to construction projects for Portage, Wishart says that work is slated to begin this fall on the west end overpass, while the roundabout for Highway 1 and 16 is still in the design stage. He expects to see a final version of plans in the not so distant future.

The new interactive online map will increase safety awareness and improve accessibility for all Manitobans and can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/mit/mipmap/index.html.