Work begins as part of long term plan to remove red lights from Winnipeg highway

WINNIPEG—Work is set to start on a plan that could eventually see all traffic lights removed from the South Perimeter highway around Winnipeg.

Manitoba Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler says over the next three years, 23 smaller intersections along the road will either be closed or have left-turns and median openings eliminated.

Schuler says that work is part of an immediate plan to increase safety on the heavily-travelled road, which is part of the Trans-Canada Highway system, and will cost $19 million.

Another feature is the first roundabout on Manitoba’s highway network, which is scheduled to open next week just off the highway on an adjacent road southwest of the city.

Schuler says all six traffic-light intersections on the perimeter road will remain for now, but will be examined as part of a study due out next year that will map out future changes.

He says the goal is to eventually — over the next few decades — have trucks and other traffic flow freely around the city.

“The safety plan is the first step in advancing the long-term vision of the South Perimeter as a fully accessible controlled freeway,” Schuler said Friday.

“We know that there is up to 40,000 – 50,000 vehicles (per day) and growing. It’s one of the most important economic corridors.”