WINNIPEG, Man. -- Major bridge and highway upgrades in Manitoba have paved the way for heavier truck loads, the province has announced.
Transport Minister Steve Ashton announced the changes yesterday, noting "Manitoba is a major trade route and our significant funding increases to upgrade our highways and bridges are now helping trucking firms, industries and farmers reduce hauling costs so they can operate more efficiently."
Spring weight restrictions are also being removed from certain roads thanks to the upgrades.
Changes to the following routes will soon allow for the heaviest legal truck loads year-round: over 120 kms of PTH 68, from PTH 6 to PTH 5; more than 110 kms of PTH83 from Russell to south of Swan River; and an additional 43 kms of PTH 8, from PR 229 to PTH 68 near Gimli.
Spring weight restrictions, meanwhile, will be removed on: 26 kms of PTH 3 from Crystal City to La Riviere; 21 kms of PTH 3 from Melita to Medora; all of PTH 57; and three kilometres of PR 264 from Rossburn to PR577.
"Our industry sees this as a positive step forward in renewing our infrastructure," said Bob Dolyniuk, executive director of the Manitoba Trucking Association. "These improvements will lower operating costs for our members and allow them to operate more efficiently and help reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. We look forward to further positive developments as Manitoba continues to renew its highways and bridges."
The funding has resulted from the province's 10-year, $4 billion highway renewal plan announced in 2007.
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