Manitoba’s Premier is committing to twin the Trans-Canada Highway between the Ontario/Manitoba boundary and Falcon Lake.
The pledge from Heather Stefanson comes in a letter to Peter Lugli, the brother of Dryden’s Mark Lugli and uncle of Jacob Lugli.
Mark and Jacob died in a collision on that road near Barren Lake on July 21, 2019, when Mark was driving his son to a golf tournament in Selkirk.
Peter recently sent an open letter to the Premier asking for the highway to be twinned in order to prevent future tragedies.
Now, Stefanson has sent a letter back confirming the government will act with plans to twin from 5 kilometres west of Provincial Road 301 to the boundary.
She says as part of the first phase of the project, the province will soon tender and award contracts to engineers for the conceptual and functional design studies, which will need to take place before environmental assessment work.
A proposed timeline for the project will be announced this fall.
Stefanson goes on to say, “Our government is also committed to engage with stakeholders early and throughout the duration of the project, including Indigenous Rights holders in the region. This also includes further engagement and discussions with the Government of Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation to ensure coordination and alignment of projects.”
She adds, “In addition, we will continue our advocacy efforts to seek federal support for critical infrastructure projects, including ones of this nature, via a National Trade Corridor Fund, which we believe, would strongly support both public safety and economic growth for all regions of our country.”
Stefanson notes interim safety improvements have been made to the highway.
“We have installed information signs about the access to Barren Lake Road, trimmed the brush at the intersection to improve sightlines, and installed “No Stopping” signs to address parked vehicles at the intersection. We are confident these changes will improve safety at the intersection while our government begins the significant process of twinning the Highway.”
Stefanson ended the letter by stressing, “My thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family as you continue to grieve the loss of Mark and Jacob. I trust that his letter has been helpful to you, and I hope that you will continue to stay in touch as the twinning project progresses.”
In an e-mail to CKDR News, Peter Lugli stated, “Our objective was always to raise awareness of the importance of twinning the Trans Canada Highway in Manitoba, in order to prevent tragedies like that which has hit our family and others. Premier Stefanson deserves full credit for getting the job done. We’re elated at the commitment to do this, and help motorists and families in Northwestern Ontario and Manitoba and beyond drive to and from their destinations in safety.”
