The new interchange at PTH 59 and the North Perimeter Highway in Manitoba is in its final stages of construction and is set to reopen in stages, Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler announced.
“We are opening the new interchange in stages to ensure safety and to effectively integrate the upgraded infrastructure back into use,” said Schuler.
Approximately 70,000 vehicles a day pass through this complex intersection to get them to their destinations, Schuler noted. Construction over the past three years has resulted in:
- a new interchange at the intersection of PTH 59 and the Perimeter Highway, Winnipeg’s north Perimeter route;
- realigning the Perimeter Highway, with infrastructure in place to upgrade to six lanes in the future;
- an upgraded intersection at PTH 59 and PR 202 with a traffic signal and additional turn lanes;
- a new crossing at the Perimeter Highway at Raleigh Street / Gateway Street to accommodate an active transportation corridor and a dedicated emergency vehicle crossing; and
- redirecting Knowles Avenue traffic to the Headmaster Row extension.
The initial stage of opening is scheduled for Sept. 15 at 3 a.m. (subject to weather) and will allow both North Perimeter and PTH 59 traffic through the new interchange. However, some movements will be detoured until those portions are completed. The interchange is expected to open fully later this fall, the minister noted. Motorists are being asked to drive with caution in this area as construction is completed.
Construction began in July 2015 on the $250-million interchange. Approximately 600 staff worked on the project, for a total of one million hours of work. The area of concrete pavement used during construction would be enough to completely cover 28 football fields, said Schuler.
