The Manitoba government is investing over $60 million to upgrade Provincial Road (PR) 201 from PR 200 to PR 302. 

Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Doyle Piwniuk, says they are working hard to improve the functionality and reliability of our provincial highways. 

“Our initiative strategically identifies highways that should be upgraded to accommodate the heaviest commercial loads, and we are committed to continue to invest in these important infrastructure projects.” 

$28 million of the $60 million will go toward upgrading PR 201 from Provincial Trunk Highway (PTH) 59 to PR 302. The upgrades are expected to start in 2025-2026. 

$33.5 million will be used to upgrade PR 200 to PTH 59, and upgrades are expected to start the year afterward. 

Piwniuk says the reason why construction won’t be starting until 2025 is because of the size and importance of the project. 

"We have to make sure that when we design it, we design it with safety in mind. So that's why we take so much time to make sure we do it right,” he says. "The biggest thing here is to design it properly so that it can last for many, many years to come.” 

He goes on to say this initiative will improve efficiency for the transportation of goods and services across Manitoba and North America. 

Thanks to the government’s Trade and Commerce Grid initiative, the section of highway from PR 200 to PR 302 will be able to accommodate large commercial loads all year-round.  

Currently, PR 201 is subjected to Level 1 spring road restrictions. This means that the maximum axle weight for vehicles is 90 percent of normal loading during the Spring. 

“While these restrictions are in effect, heavy vehicles may need to take alternate routes or haul multiple smaller loads which cause financial losses to businesses and to our province.” 

Dennis Smook, the MLA for La Verendrye, says that last spring the restriction was at 65 percent. 

“Now they brought it back to 90 percent which has made a great difference for the local businesses to get material in to work with, or to ship out materials that they have made.” 

Piwniuk is happy to announce the highway will be upgraded to Manitoba’s heaviest regulated loading classification. 

Monique Chenier, Economic Development Manager for the RMs of Piney and Stuartburn, says that this upgrade will lay down the groundwork for continued growth in our region. 

“It truly is more than an infrastructure project. It is an investment in rural communities and rural people,” she says. “It will enable our local farmers, retailers, and manufacturers to be more competitive and grow their businesses to benefit our region.” 

She goes to say that this project provides great opportunities for the future, ensuring that families can thrive in rural southeast Manitoba. 

“New and expanding businesses means more jobs attracting more people to move to the region and enrolling more children in our schools, resulting in more spin-off businesses for local retailers like grocery stores and restaurants."