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Majority of winter roads now open

About two-third of Manitoba's winter roads were open as of Jan. 29, including those to Garden Hill, Red Sucker Lake, St. Theresa Point, Wasagamack, Oxford House, Gods Lake Narrows, Pikwitonei and Thicket Portage.
winter road

About two-third of Manitoba's winter roads were open as of Jan. 29, including those to Garden Hill, Red Sucker Lake, St. Theresa Point, Wasagamack, Oxford House, Gods Lake Narrows, Pikwitonei and Thicket Portage.

The 11 roads yet to open included those to Brochet, Lac Brochet, Tadoule Lake, Pukatawagan, Ilford, York Landing, Gods River, Matheson Island, Stevenson Island, Poplar River, Little Grand Rapids and Pauingassi.

The provincial government said Jan. 26 that 13 of 23 communities that rely on winter roads are now accessible and the remainder of the 2,400-kilometre network expected to be open within two weeks.

"Approximately $10 million will be spent this year to ensure our winter roads are suitable for the delivery of essential goods to remote Manitoba communities," said Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler in a press release. "Thanks to largely favourable conditions, more than half of all winter roads are already open."

More than 2,500 shipments are delivered to isolated communities without year-round road access in a typical winter road season, the province says. The cost of the winter road system is split between the provincial and federal governments.

Sections of the road may close on short notice for repairs due to variable weather. Drivers hoping to travel on winter roads can check if they are open and find out the conditions by visiting www.manitoba511.ca, calling 511 or following the road closures Twitter account at www.twitter.com/MBGovRoads. A Manitoba 511 app is also available at http://residents.gov.mb.ca/511.html.

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