The provincial government announced last week it has committed funding to passing lanes on Highway 8 and road safety improvements in the RM of St. Clements.
Construction of the passing lanes on Highway 8 has begun and will cost an estimated $18.3 million.
The combined $21.2-million investment for both projects will support growing traffic volumes, improve safety and ehance connectivity.
“Our government is pleased to share these important infrastructure investments with municipal partners as we connect with communities across the province,” said transportation and infrastructure minister Lisa Naylor in a June 10 news release. “These projects will improve road conditions, enhance passing opportunities and support safe, reliable travel for residents, local businesses and visitors to the Interlake region.”
The province first announced the passing lanes in September 2025. Highway 8 is a heavily travelled route to and from the Interlake region and can experience significant traffic congestion during peak travel periods, particularly during the summer tourism season.
Passing lanes are designed to improve traffic flow and safety by providing designated opportunities for vehicles to overtake slower-moving traffic without crossing into oncoming lanes. Typically, one lane shifts toward the shoulder while an additional lane in the same direction allows faster-moving vehicles to pass.
Four sets of passing lanes will be constructed between Highway 67, near the Stonewall and Selkirk turnoffs, and PR 231 near Gimli. Each passing lane will be approximately two kilometres long.
A spokesperson for the department said the passing lanes are now under construction.
“The locations of the passing lanes, which are currently under construction, have been selected to avoid high-volume intersections and driveways, bridges, culverts and horizontal curves,” he said.
The project is expected to be completed by the fall of 2027.
Provincial road improvements in the RM of St. Clements include surface restoration on Highway 59 from Highway 44 to Highway 4 in the southbound lanes and from Highway 44 to PR 317 in the northbound lanes.
