WINNIPEG, Man. — A fiver-year bridge plan was announced by the Manitoba government, as part of a five-year transportation plan that will be released in the coming weeks.

The plan is the first of its kind in Manitoba and aims to allow for better up-front planning.

In 2006, the province set a new record for capital investment in bridges, said Doer. The recent $4-billion commitment for highways and bridges will allow the province to more than triple its annual commitment for bridge renewal, allowing a record number of projects to be completed.

During the next five years, at least $261.5 million in funding or an average of $50 million annually will be spent on bridge construction. This will allow for a minimum of 63 structures to be built or rehabilitated throughout the province.

As part of the plan, a fund is also being established to deal with emerging priorities so additional bridges can be addressed over the next five years.

A key part of this approach is providing a long-term blueprint that will assist Manitobas construction industry to plan and meet this new demand, noted Doer.