WINNIPEG — The reoccurring flooding issues that plague cross-border transporters dependant on Highway 75 have left critics of Selinger’s government steamed as the first flood report of 2010 was released yesterday.

Mavis Tailleu, a Progressive Conservative MLA in Manitoba, says the ruling NDP have failed to provide a long-term strategy for the frequently flooded route, which is Manitoba’s busiest trade corridor to the U.S. market.

"Flooding south of Winnipeg is a regular occurrence," Taillieu was quoted as saying by the Winnipeg Free Press. "We had flooding in 2006. We had flooding last year. We have another flood looming on the horizon for 2010.

Yet, while the NDP talks a lot about plans to fix the problem, "we have yet to see any action," says Taillieu.

Highway 75 has been closed due to flooding 100 days over the past 13 years, versus eight days of closure on the same route (I-29) going through the U.S. in Fargo and Grand Forks, says Taillieu.

The flooding of the frequently used highway has cost the trucking industry millions of dollars in the past as truckers drive an extra 100 km in detours to avoid the closed road during spring floods.

There’s even talk that the lack of action to mitigate flooding impact on trade is one of the "potholes" that could slow down development of CentrePort — a potential inland mega hub positioned at the center of the NAFTA market.