Manitoba Hydro crews can be seen dotting the highway in Winkler as work continues in preparation of four-laning PTH 32.

Hydro spokesperson Bruce Owen explains they've moved into phase two of the widening of PTH 32 (1st St.) from Victoria Avenue to the north-east corner of Cargill Rd. Hydro staff are currently relocating the wood pole distribution line on east side of PTH 32 from the Maranatha Christian Fellowship Church to the Winkler Public Works Operations Yard at 345 1st Street and converting it to an underground system. He notes the work will involve the installation of two pad-mounted transformers to re-connect to customers who had been served by the wood poles.

From 345 1st St. up to 415 1st St., staff are relocating and rebuilding the existing wood pole line, including rebuilding the pole line crossing the CPR rail tracks.

The current work estimated time frame in Winkler is five weeks.

Owen reminds motorists to slow down when passing road workers. "Areas, where work is ongoing, will be properly marked, but we ask for drivers to drive safely, pay attention and respect the speed limit."

Winkler Mayor Martin Harder reiterated how the four-laning of PTH 32 goes back nearly 20 years during his State of the City address Thursday, adding the project was already a priority in 2006. He notes Winkler council has done their part in budgeting and rerouting infrastructure in preparation of the twinning, and now wait on funding from the Provincial government.

"We are ready," he says.

However, the actual reconstruction falls under the Province's responsibility as a provincial trunk highway and Harder says it seems unlikely the Manitoba Government will move forward on the project in 2019.

Instead, he says 2020 might be a more accurate prediction to see shovels in the ground.