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Manitoba building new interchange at Perimeter Highway, PTH3

The Manitoba government plans to construct a new diamond interchange at the intersection of PTH 100 (Perimeter Highway) and PTH 3, which will increase safety and reduce travel delays along the Perimeter Highway, according to Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler.

“Over the next 10 years, Manitoba will be recognized as a national transportation hub, linking east to west, north to south and enabling strong economic activity within and across our borders,” said Schuler. “The work currently being undertaken will enhance transportation mobility and connectivity, ensure safety and reliability across the highway network, and enable industry expansion that leverages Manitoba’s diverse economy.”

Two stages of changes

In 2020, the province released the South Perimeter Highway Design Study, which outlines two stages of changes for the Perimeter Highway. The initial stage, designed to accommodate forecast 2048 traffic levels, will include upgrading the highway to a four-lane divided freeway and improving the highway, interchanges and bridges. The final stage will include upgrading the Perimeter Highway to a six-lane divided freeway, reconfiguring the existing highway and constructing new interchanges where necessary.

One of the key components to the study was a new diamond interchange at the intersection of the Perimeter Highway and PTH 3 to reduce delays while also addressing operational and safety related issues at the current signalized intersection. Engineering work on the new interchange is planned to begin in late 2021, with construction scheduled to begin potentially in late 2023, following the completion of the interchange at the Perimeter Highway and St. Mary’s Road.

“Increased use of the Perimeter Highway over the past 30 years has required our government to address safety, operational and capacity deficiencies of the roadway,” said Schuler. “The Perimeter Highway is a significant economic driver for the province in the transportation of people, goods and services and we need to ensure the roadway is safe, efficient and progressive.”

What We Heard report

The province also released the What We Heard report for Phase 2 of the Perimeter Safety Review, which studied safety on the north section of the Perimeter Highway (PTH 101) from Portage Avenue to Fermor Avenue.

Phase 2 of the Perimeter Safety Review proposes signalizing or closing all unsignalized median openings and stop-sign controlled access points, which will limit North Perimeter Highway access to intersections that are appropriately signalized, or have interchanges.

More than 1,200 people took part in the survey, with more than 70 per cent of respondents indicating that they believe the proposed safety improvements will address all or most safety concerns on the north section of the Perimeter Highway.

Functional design study

A functional design study for the North Perimeter Highway, similar to the South Perimeter Design Study, will begin later this year. The study will determine locations for future interchanges, grade separations, and access management strategies, and will also include additional engagement opportunities for directly impacted stakeholders and the public.

The minister also noted that to date, 26 intersections have been modified or closed on the Perimeter Highway, with an additional 14 expected to be closed or modified by this fall. A tender was advertised on June 17 to close most of the remaining PTH 101 median openings and unsignalized access points.

To view the What We Heard report for Phase 2 of the Perimeter Safety Review, visit https://engagemb.ca/north-perimeter-safety-review.