Residents travelling Provincial Road 227 between Highway 6 and Highway 248 are seeking clarity on when the route will reopen as bridge replacement work continues along the corridor.
The stretch of highway has been closed since last fall, forcing motorists onto a detour that adds roughly 32 kilometres to their commute. While many residents acknowledge the need for infrastructure upgrades, questions have remained about the duration of the closure and winter maintenance on the alternate route.
According to a Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure provincial spokesperson, the department is currently undertaking two structure replacement projects on PR 227 over Sturgeon Creek. One structure is located 5.4 kilometres west of Provincial Trunk Highway 6, while a second is located 1.3 kilometres west of PTH 6.
Construction on both projects began last fall and is expected to be completed by this summer, the spokesperson said.
Residents have raised concerns about driving conditions on the detour during winter weather, particularly during snowfall events.
The spokesperson said the department engaged with the Rural Municipality of Woodlands during the design of the new structures and while reviewing detour options. The detour selected follows the provincial highway network east on PR 227, north on PTH 6 and south on PR 248.
That route was identified as the most suitable option while construction is underway, the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson added that Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure is continuing to maintain the detour at the same winter level of service as PR 227 for the duration of the project.
The closure affects daily commuters, service vehicles and agricultural traffic in the area, with limited alternative routes available until the bridge work is complete.
