WINNIPEG -- A priority has been placed on upgrading Manitoba roadways with an additional $45 million committed under the Highway Renewal Plan.

The commitment includes a previously announced $15 million increase, plus an additional $30 million in new capital for accelerated highway renewal for a total of $45 million.

This latest investment brings next year’s highway budget to approximately $460 million, which surpasses the government’s commitment of $400 million per year for the next 10 years.

“This financial commitment further expands the already historic investments in Manitoba highways made in the first two years of our Highway Renewal Plan,” said Ron Lemieux, Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation. “Investments like this provide the footing for a strong economy and allow Manitoba to take full advantage of its strategic location at the centre of the country.”

The money committed today is for the 2009-2010 construction season.

Projects for the upcoming season include rehabilitating or rebuilding more than 50 bridges and structures across the province; making improvements to over 100 kilometres of the Trans-Canada Highway, including paving shoulders and resurfacing travel lanes; continuing reconstruction of PTH 75; continuing major improvements to PTH 2, 3, and 10; and continuing major investments on northern highways, including PR 373 and 374.

“In the first three years of our historic highway plan, we will spend well over $1.2 billion. That is nearly the entire expenditure on highways over the entire decade of the 90s, which was just over $1.4 billion,” noted Lemieux.