The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Manitoba's network of winter roads which provides important community access within the northern region is now open for the 2005 season, Transportation and Government Services Minister Ron Lemieux announced Friday.Ê "Manitoba's winter roads program is a vital economic boost for our northern and remote communities, from the provision of local jobs to the high volumes of freight brought in during this limited window of access," said Lemieux. "Our excellent working partnerships with the communities are the main reason the annual construction phase of this program is carried out so efficiently, permitting us to take advantage of the short cold season needed to operate these roads safely." With the exception of Pukatawagan which is open to reduced loading, all the winter roads in the northern portion of the system are now open. "Opening of the winter road system is very important for several communities who would otherwise be isolated throughout the year and have to rely solely on air transportation to bring in food and building supplies for the community," said Water Stewardship Minister Steve Ashton, who spoke at the Focus North Forum in Thompson. "As part of our commitment under the Northern Development Strategy, our government has expanded our winter road network as well as made major improvements to northern infrastructure such as the new ferry at South Indian Lake." Ashton noted the $2.2-million cable ferry was designed specifically to meet local conditions in the channel such as high winds, strong currents and ice loads year-round while the previous one operated May to November. Sections open to traffic without weight restrictions are rated for a maximum loading set at 36.5 tonnes per vehicle. Since 1999, the province has tripled investment in the seasonal road system with projects such as construction of a 535-kilometre road to connect the communities of Brochet, Lac Brochet and Tadoule Lake, a new 45-kilometre route from PR 391 south of Leaf Rapids to Granville Lake and preparations to move several sections from ice to land-based routes. The seasonal road system serves approximately 38,000 Manitobans not served by permanent roads in 28 communities and has an approximate length of 2,200 kilometres. Approximately 2,000 shipments, primarily fuel, construction materials and general freight, are hauled by truck over the winter routes. "The ongoing development of northern transportation infrastructure to enhance the quality of life in these communities continues to be a challenge for Manitoba's resources," said Lemieux. "Through our partnership between government and the northern communities we will continue to work on our Northern Development Strategy and secure the resources needed." Lemieux noted that other recent provincial transportation projects designed to provide improved services to northern communities include the new $25-million Kichi Sipi Bridge at Cross Lake and the realignment of several winter road routes.
