Submitted by the Province of Manitoba
Northern communities will soon have access to Manitoba’s winter road system, allowing for the delivery of essential goods, Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler announced Jan. 22.
“Our government recognizes that Manitoba’s winter road system is a lifeline for many northern residents,” said Schuler. “We’ve committed to investing $9 million in providing 22 Manitoba communities access to supplies and essential goods. Once complete, those communities will have full passage to the network.”
Since 1971, winter roads facilitate the hauling of freight to remote and northern communities and provide residents with temporary inter-community travel as well as road access to the rest of the province. The Manitoba winter road system is over 2,381 kilometres long, crosses muskeg, streams, rivers and lakes, and is constructed on the natural terrain of land and ice.
The network is open from mid-January to mid-March depending on weather conditions. The roads serve over 30,000 Manitobans in 22 communities and carries over 2,500 shipments of goods annually. Nearly half of the shipments carry fuel, while the other half includes construction materials, heavy equipment and store supplies.
“Every year the province works with local communities and First Nations on the construction and maintenance of these roads,” said Indigenous and Northern Relations Minister Eileen Clarke. “This collaboration creates employment and training opportunities in the area for more than 250 employees.”
Timelines for the completion of all roads is dependent on weather conditions. Some sections of the winter road system may be closed for repairs on short notice, due to changing weather conditions.
Road users are encouraged to follow current COVID-19 public health orders and to contact individual communities for possible entry requirements prior to travelling.
A complete list of Manitoba’s winter road system can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/mit/winter/.
