WINNIPEG, Man. — Manitoba’s northern communities are open for business and shipments can now be sent there via the province’s winter road system.

Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation has announced its 2,200 kilometres of winter roads are now open to trucks and other large vehicles. Every year, more than 2,500 shipments of supplies such as food and fuel are trucked to northern communities via the province’s winter roads.

Weight restrictions remain in place for some winter roads and some sections may have to be closed on short notice for repairs, the province warns. Typically, Manitoba’s winter road season lasts eight to 12 weeks, ending in March.

About 30,000 residents in 23 communities rely on the winter road network. In recent years, wherever possible, Manitoba has rerouted its northern road network off lakes and rivers and onto land to improve safety and reduce environmental damage, the province says. It claims to have moved about 25% of its winter road network off lakes and rivers since 2001.

To check up on road conditions, visit http://www.manitoba.ca/ or call 877-MBRoads.