WINNIPEG, Man. — An unprecedented investment of $4 billion and the provinces first-ever, multi-year plan to renew the Manitobas highway system was unveiled by the provincial government.

We are putting our historical $4-billion commitment to work in every corner of this province, said Ron Lemieux, Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation. This multi-year plan outlines the first five years and $2 billion of our commitment. It is a blueprint for completing a record number of projects in Manitoba including twinning a section of Hwy. 59 North and additional investments in other major highways.

Over the next five years, $2 billion will be invested in four areas: capital construction and renewal, maintenance, preservation, and winter roads.

Referenced Companies: Referenced Categories Available CategoriesCategories LinkedAssociationsCompetition WatchHealth & LifestylesInA total of $1.2 billion will fund long-term projects to address the provinces core highways and bridges, while $800,000,000 will go to maintenance, preservation and winter roads. The five-year plan outlines the major commitments under the $1.2?billion construction and maintenance program.

With this most recent commitment, we have increased investment in our roads and highways by 125% since 1999, said Lemieux. In the 10 years prior to 1999, investment in our roads and highways increased a little over 4%. We will continue to build our province and we will continue to build for the future.

The plan outlines some of the key projects to be undertaken over the next five years: $61.8 million for the Trans-Canada Highway; $261.5 million for bridges; $83 million for PTH 75; $68 million for PTH 6; $60.9 million for PTH 10; $41.4 million for PTH 16; $45.4 million for PR 373 and PR 374, twinning of a section of PTH 59 North; $85 million to complete the twinning of the Perimeter Highway and other renewal work; $10 million for new lanes on Inkster Boulevard west of Route 90; $34.9 million for PTH 8 and PTH 9; $59.2 million for PTH 2 and PTH 3; $25.7 million for PTH 68; and $31.5 million for PTH 83.

The province also announced as part of its multi-year plan: a federal-provincial cost sharing fund of $132 million to cover future highway projects which will be cost-shared with the federal government; a flexible response fund of $125 million to respond to emerging needs and to address smaller local priority projects; a strategic resurfacing fund of $125 million to effectively extend the life of paved surfaces; and a small and miscellaneous project fund to cover the costs of smaller projects that help maintain and improve the provinces road system including such things as culvert replacements, traffic safety projects and roadside safety improvements.

Manitoba continues to break all previous budget records for highway investment, said Lemieux. By providing a five-year blueprint of upcoming projects, Manitobas construction industry will be in a better position to plan for the construction boom.