The Manitoba government is moving forward with creating an alternate flood route to Provincial Trunk Highway (PTH) 75 when the major thoroughfare is affected by high water events.

Premier Brian Pallister has laid out $16 million in order to convert Provincial Road (PR) 246 from PTH 23 near Morris up to PR 205 near Aubigny from gravel to asphalt. It's part of government's $33 million additional investment in damage prevention and climate resiliency projects announced Wednesday.

As R.M. of Morris Reeve Ralph Groening understands, government will cover 100 per cent of the project price tag as it has been identified as the most cost-efficient option under the Province's overall flood-proofing plan to ensure continued flow of commercial traffic along the north-south corridor during a flood.

While he added this was not a project that the municipal council requested, Groening said officials are familiar with the proposal.

"We had met with Manitoba Infrastructure a while back, so we had some of the details but we didn't know the time frames," he said. "I guess we're pleased. We will see a new upgraded and improved road in the R.M. of Morris."

The Reeve noted R.M. of Morris officials weren't involved in persuading or dissuading any of the decisions related to this project. That being said, he feels this is a cost-effective approach to providing some improved access during a high water event.

Meantime, Morris mayor, Scott Crick, has been advocating for the Province to instead fund repairs to PTH 75 north of town so that portion of road could stay open during a flood.

"Although this (alternate route) wasn't our community's first choice solution, we will be thankful to have an alternate route during flooding," he said.