Funding coming for Manitoba transportation projects

WINNIPEG: The Canadian and Manitoba governments are providing funding for two “intelligent transportation systems” (ITS) projects in Manitoba. The feds plan to provide up to 50 percent of the funding to a maximum of $75,000 for CentrePort Canada—a 20,000-acre inland port and trade area in Winnipeg—to consider the application of new technologies to its operational design. This funding is provided through the ITS component of the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program (SHIP). Manitoba is providing $65,000 while CentrePort is providing $10,000 for the study.

“Applying innovative solutions such as ITS to the transportation network will increase efficiency and competitiveness, improve safety and create jobs,” said Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Transport). “These innovative technologies will help position CentrePort Canada as a primary corridor for trade, international business and investment.”

CentrePort Canada will study ITS practices at other inland ports to determine whether they could be successful at CentrePort. The project’s objectives are to reduce the time for secure cargo shipments from CentrePort to cross international borders and to increase the security of cross-border freight shipments.

The governments of Canada and Manitoba have also each provided $265,000 for a total of $530,000 for the new border crossing traveler information system at the Pembina, North Dakota-Emerson, Manitoba border crossing. The system was installed and began operating last April.

“The Province of Manitoba recognizes the strategic significance and role of the Pembina-Emerson port in supporting the development of Manitoba as a leading trade and transportation gateway jurisdiction,” said Steve Ashton, Manitoba’s Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation. “The new border traveler information system is providing real-time road, weather and port processing information to more than 500,000 annual southbound cross-border travellers entering the United States through this strategic mid-continental gateway.”

The system provides southbound drivers with information such as lane assignments and road weather conditions. The information will be provided by US Customs and Border Protection, the North Dakota Department of Transportation and the National Weather Service.