WINNIPEG, Man. — The provincial and federal governments are shelling out $5 million to enhance Manitoba’s winter road network this year.

“The construction and maintenance of Manitoba’s extensive winter road system is a major source of seasonal employment and economic gain for northern communities,” said Manitoba’s Transport Minister, Ron Lemieux. “The seasonal roads also provide a short but vital link to the provincial transportation system for our northern residents, helping to bring in significant amounts of freight for the benefit of their communities.”

Manitoba’s winter road system consists of 2,200 kilometres and facilitates about 2,000 shipments each winter. Most of those shipments are fuel, construction materials and general freight.

“Manitoba’s northern development strategy recognizes the importance of the seasonal road system to the economic development of northern and remote communities,” said Lemieux. “Since 1999 we have significantly expanded the winter roads and tripled our investment to strengthen the strategy and provide economic opportunity to these communities.”

In recent years, the province has been re-aligning routes away from waterways to improve safety and reduce environmental risks. So far, about 600 kilometres of winter roads have been re-aligned to eliminate water crossings.