WINNIPEG, Man. -- The Manitoba Trucking Association has praised the recent announcement from Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation that promises road improvements to Highway 75, saying it will have a positive impact on the trucking industry in the province. The improvements include upgrades to the northbound lanes around Morris, a hydraulic study in the Morris area, and upgrades to the southbound lanes hear Emerson, including construction of a dedicated commercial truck lane.
"The MTA has been lobbying the government for a long time for improvements to Highway 75. When that route is shut down – on an almost annual basis – the costs to our industry are enormous, at approximately $1.5 million per week," says Bob Dolyniuk, executive director of the Manitoba Trucking Association. "Unfortunately, these additional costs are ultimately passed down to the consumer, so any improvements to Highway 75 that prevent it being shut down are beneficial for all Manitobans, not just the trucking industry. As well, the creation of a dedicated truck lane at Emerson will improve the efficient flow of goods across the border, another benefit to the industry and consumers.”
However, while Dolyniuk said that the MTA was happy with the announcement, he noted that there are several other road and infrastructure projects that the group would like to see the province prioritize.
“There has been a lack investment in our road and bridge infrastructure in Manitoba for too long, and the result is crumbling roadways and an inefficient transportation system. The infrastructure deficit that this and previous governments have allowed to happen is a disservice to all Manitobans," Dolyniuk said.
Other areas of improvement that the MTA has identified as being most urgent for the trucking industry include resurfacing of Highway 59, competing the north Perimeter Highway intersection at Highway 59 North, improvements to
Highway 10, major improvements to Highway 6 (including replacement of sub-standard bridges, developing passing lanes, and making blind curves more clearly indicated), and upgrading Highway 16 from Shoal Lake to the Saskatchewan border.