April 25, 2003

Manitoba will invest over $15 million to continue improving transportation infrastructure access for northern communities and promote economic opportunities, Transportation and Government Services Minister Scott Smith announced today.

"These initiatives reflect our commitment to the province’s Northern Development Strategy and underscore the importance of infrastructure access to community economic growth," said Smith. "A well developed transportation system is a crucial component for the future advancement of northern communities."

The second year of the five-year, $600 million RoadWorks Manitoba capital program for highway construction will invest $120 million across the province to improve infrastructure. Projects that will benefit northern communities include:

• $5.5 million for the first phase of the construction of the $25 million Netnak Bridge on PR 374 over Pipestone Lake to replace the ferry crossing and provide an all-weather road to the community of Cross Lake. The province will contribute a total of $10 million over the next two years, with the remainder to be paid by Manitoba Hydro.
• $2.42 million for the Community Main Access Gravel Road Stabilization program in communities of more than 200 residents with only gravel road access. This involves applying additional gravel mixed with calcium and/or magnesium chloride.
• $1.7 million for base course stabilization on approximately 675 kilometres of gravel roads. This process is used on continuous sections of gravel roads averaging more than 250 vehicles per day and involves applying additional gravel mixed with calcium and/or magnesium chloride.

Other northern infrastructure improvements include $1.47 million for projects at some of the 22 provincially operated airport facilities across Northern Manitoba. Projects include shop facility upgrades, non-directional beacon purchase and installation, maintenance equipment purchases and new terminal construction.

"Each infrastructure project, from realigning winter roads over more land-based routes to building new airport terminals, acknowledges the tremendous economic potential of Manitoba’s northern communities," said Smith.

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• $125,000 each for equipment shop upgrades at Little Grand Rapids and Pukatawagan
• $150,000 each to purchase and install non-directional beacons at Tadoule Lake and Bloodvein
• $25,000 each to finish construction of new terminals at God’s River and Oxford House
• $130,000 for the purchase of materials to construct a new terminal at Brochet next year
• $250,000 for a new airport terminal at Pikwitonei
• $250,000 for a new airport terminal at Thicket Portage
• $100,000 each for snowblower attachments at Brochet and Red Sucker Lake
• $40,000 for packers at four sites