The thaw has arrived for Manitoba’s provincial winter roads. As of Thursday, the majority of Manitoba’s 34 roads and crossings have either shut down for the season or will do so shortly. In northern Manitoba, seven roads closed on Thursday, as reported by Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure. In the southern region, only one road, a two-kilometre link between Matheson Island and the mainland, remains operational. All remaining winter roads in the southern part of the province ceased operations in the last days of March.
Approximately 2,400 kilometers of winter roads are constructed in remote areas of Manitoba annually, with some sections spanning frozen bodies of water, some several kilometers long, including about 150 kilometers on ice surfaces. Other roads include brief crossings, such as Highway 373 to Kinosao Sipi, or Norway House Cree Nation, where a 200-meter section leads to Ross Island during winter; once the ice melts, a ferry covers the river crossing. This particular crossing typically opens first and closes last during the winter season, with an expected closure date of April 10 this year.
These roads serve as critical transportation links to northern communities that lack other connections to provincial highways. Some areas, like Shamattawa First Nation, are only accessible by air or water, while others, such as Mathias Colomb Cree Nation or Pikwitonei, are served by a train line but lack all-weather road access.
Doug Jansen, the northern roads manager for Manitoba Transportation, highlighted that each winter road season can vary due to multiple factors. Conditions this year enabled the department, along with two dozen contractors and over 200 workers, to open roads earlier and keep them operational for an extended period.
Jansen noted, “This year, we had quite a few communities open in mid-January, about seven to 10 days earlier than usual. Normally, we finish around the third week of March, but we’ve extended operations a few times until the end of March, with a couple of roads remaining open for another day or so.”
An early snowfall and freeze-up can help prolong the winter road season by allowing the ground to settle and freeze before construction begins, facilitating faster and safer road building without concerns about thin ice or muskeg.
Jansen emphasized, “A little snowfall when the cold sets in during November and December helps the ground freeze before the snow accumulates, which is beneficial for us. A good start to the season is crucial for our operations.”
The success of a winter road season is measured by road usage, the number of passengers transported, and the amount of freight delivered. According to Jansen, the department’s data indicates that freight was delivered safely and ahead of schedule this year.
“We assess success based on deliveries to communities, ensuring everyone receives their goods on time. Many deliveries were completed earlier than anticipated,” Jansen stated. “We open the roads, the trucking industry transports the freight, and we monitor the process to ensure everything runs smoothly. Some last-minute deliveries are still ongoing.”
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