\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t“This whole freeway design for the south Perimeter is the vision of government and for them to fulfil their vision they need to know what’s the commitment — how much does this cost, what does it take to build it, and only then once they have that information they can start talking about priorities,” McRitchie said.
“All of that being said, we do know that demand here is higher than most of the other interchanges.”<\/p>\n
Presently, the stretch of the Perimeter between Pembina Highway and PR330 handles 24,500 to 30,000 vehicles daily. The province projects that number to increase to 40,500 to 46,500 vehicles per day by 2048.<\/p>\n
“I think it’s fair to say it’s certainly one of the more important interchanges on the whole system,” McRitchie said.<\/p>\n
An interchange at Kenaston Boulevard is required to handle traffic exiting a future western bypass of the St. Norbert community. The province is looking to build a four-lane divided expressway from Highway 75 south of Marchand Road to Kenaston.<\/p>\n
The bypass would provide heavy truck traffic destined for the United States that currently travels on Pembina Highway (past residential communities lighted intersections, and pedestrian crossings) a more efficient route through the city.<\/p>\n
The three alignments proposed by Manitoba Infrastructure are as follows:<\/p>\n
• A westerly alignment following Waverley Street and turning east to connect with Highway 75 (with service roads on each side of the bypass north of the La Salle River), and a future interchange south of Rue des Trappistes;<\/p>\n
• A central alignment extending Kenaston Boulevard south until it crosses the La Salle River and turning east to connect with Highway 75, and a future interchange south of Rue des Trappistes; and<\/p>\n
• An easterly alignment that takes the bypass a bit further east, closer to the Southwood Golf Course, then winding more or less straight south to Highway 75, and a future interchange south of Rue des Trappistes.<\/p>\n