A Winnipeg city councillor wants the province to step up winter maintenance on the Perimeter Highway.
Janice Lukes, who represents Waverley West, says plows largely work during the day, which can render that stretch of highway dangerous after hours for the 25,000 to 35,000 vehicles that drive there every day. A provincial spokesperson confirmed daily road patrols begin at 4 a.m. and extend until late in the evenings.
“Just two days ago, I was on the Perimeter at 7:30 in the evening. It was a sheet of ice. A semi had jackknifed, hit cars,” Lukes told Global News Thursday.
“It’s really concerning to me.”
She acknowledges maintenance crews face safety concerns like poor visibility and potential collisions, but adds Manitobans and transport trucks continue driving there throughout day and night.
The Perimeter serves as a crucial corridor for the growing transportation industry, Lukes said, as it becomes a key link in the multi-modal global distribution hub called CentrePort.
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“It’s a balancing act, but you know what? There have been crashes.”
Lukes suggests the province consider hiring private contractors to plow the Perimeter outside regular business hours.
The province wasn’t available for an interview but told Global News in a Thursday email it already uses contractors to help with snow clearing.
“Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure (MTI) maintenance crews have successfully surpassed expectations in performing snow removal services with such significant snowfall,” the provincial spokesperson said.
“Road safety is a priority for all Manitobans including staff that service the roads,” they said.
“When conditions create poor visibility, once its safe to be back on the roads, staff are able to meet winter levels of service and ensure roads get cleared.”
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