WINNIPEG — The province of Manitoba has upgraded their highway information service. The new 511 service allows drivers to get the 4-1-1 (sorry, couldn’t resist) on highway conditions, closures, winter road updates, how to contact Travel Manitoba and information for trucking permits.

Simliar to 911 for emergencies, the 511 number is dedicated to traveler information, and can be dialed from anywhere in the province.

The upgraded service is also available online, where users can access an interactive map that allows you to guide your mouse over specific geographical areas and get highway information. The map also provides highway information for neighboring provinces and states — Ontario, Saskatchewan, North Dakota and Minnesota.

"Statistics from the former site show the online version of this service is one of the most visited provincial sites with about 2,300 visits on a typical winter day," said Infrastructure and Transportation Minister Steve Ashton. On a harsh winter day, online usage can get as high as 45,000 visits.

Bob Dolyniuk, executive director of the Manitoba Trucking Association, told The Daily Graphic that "Having current, up-to-date and readily available road and weather information makes our roadways safer for the general traveling public and the many people in our industry that use these highways daily."

UPDATED: The service is online at www.mb511.ca or by calling 511 in Manitoba.