WINNIPEG — It looks like the script for Manitoba’s plans to build a staple inland port is finally having some of its plot holes filled.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced $100 million in federal funds to help stimulate private sector investment, and Manitoba Premier Gary Doer committed to picking up the other half of the funding needed to actualize Manitoba’s dream of becoming the hub of North America’s transportation wheel.

As Today’s Trucking reported last month, the plan to build CentrePort hinged on building established infrastructure to help attract the private sector to Winnipeg. Part of the new government funding will help develop a four-lane expressway that will connect CentrePort to the airport.

The airport, along with Inkster blvd and the CP Rail Weston yards, will connect to the Perimeter Highway near Saskatchwan Ave via a high-speed corridor.

With both CP and CN maintaining major service facilities that include intermodal terminals, and more than 1000 for-hire trucking companies in Manitoba alone, the four-lane expressway and high-speed corridor are major ingredients for an infrastructure recipe that will hopefully pull in companies who want a slice of the transportation pie.

Employment and further private sector investment can’t be far behind as Canada Post has begun construction of a distribution plant on 11 hectares of land east of James Richardson International Airport, where Greyhound is also building a new bus depot that will neighbor the 24-hour airport.