Province, RM of Headingley working together on new $2.5M Perimeter Highway service road

With vehicles and transport trucks zooming behind him, Manitoba Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler announced construction ofanew$2.5-million service road off the Perimeter Highway Tuesday,intendedto make a western section of thehighway safer for motorists.

TheManitoba government will work with the RM of Headingley to buildthe new road as part of the province's South Perimeter Safety Plan, developed in 2018to address safety issues at Perimeter Highway intersections that are controlled by stop signs.

"That vehicles would be pulling out cold, or turning right [offor onto] the Perimeter [the fact] we think that this is somehow even acceptable in today's age is surprising,"Schuler said at a news conference,noting the amount of traffic behind him, as well as thesize and speedof the vehicles.

"It is time that we make the Perimeter Highway safer."

The safety plan included closing two direct access roads from Caron Road, which is in the rural municipality of Headingley, to the Perimeter Highway.

One access point has already been closed. The other will close after Rockall Road the new service road has been built, the province said Tuesday.

The RM of Headingley will manage and deliver the project, and will own Rockall Road, from Roblin Boulevard to Wilkes Avenue, once it's built, a news release from the province said.

Rockall Road will give two access points to the South Perimeter via Wilkes and Roblin.

Headingley Mayor John Mausethspoke at Tuesday's announcement, sayingRockall Road will eventually lead to greater economic opportunities for his community once construction is complete.