WINNIPEG, Man. — As this year’s winter road season draws to a close this week, the province is announcing it will inject more cash into expanding the winter road network for future years.

Transport Minister Ron Lemieux announced late last week that the province will proceed with plans to complete two new bridges on the east side of Lake Winnipeg. It will also begin construction on a bridge at God’s Lake.

The winter road network is expected to be shut down in its entirety by tomorrow. This year’s winter road season lasted six weeks, which is about average.

“We strive to keep this important winter road system open as long as safely possible each season and this year there was a considerable amount of freight delivered to communities in the north that otherwise have no road access,” said Lemieux.

This year, the province spent a record $8.2 million to open and maintain the winter road network.

“With our record funding, we are seeing many improvements to the road network including work toward all-weather roads,” said Lemieux. “We have seen the installation of two new bridges on the east side and I was also pleased to drive on our winter roads last week and see the work going on at the God’s Lake bridge project.”

About 38,000 Manitobans rely on the winter road system to receive goods. About 2,500 shipments are trucked over the road network each winter. The roads are constructed primarily over frozen lakes, rivers and muskeg. For the most up-to-date information on Manitoba’s winter road network, visit www.gov.mb.ca or call 877-MBRoads.