COLUMN: Report from the Legislature – Residents demand improvements at dangerous intersection

One of the most basic yet important responsibilities of government is to ensure the safety of its citizens. This can take the form of maintaining a strong and dependable health-care system, keeping our streets safe from crime, or simply, maintaining a safe and reliable infrastructure network across our province.

Every day, hundreds of thousands of Manitobans travel our roads to get them to and from work, school, and across our province. As the former minister of infrastructure in Manitoba, I know the difference that design improvements and upgrades can have on increasing safety for motorists. And as a father and grandfather, I understand how important it is that our loved ones get home safely from travelling around our communities and province.

Recently, thousands of my constituents took the initiative of signing a petition in an effort to draw attention to the need for the NDP government to make critical upgrades to the intersection of Highway 75 and Provincial Road 305 near Ste. Agathe. Many Manitobans will be familiar with this intersection as it is on one of our key international transportation corridors.

As this area of my constituency grows and welcomes new residents, the infrastructure which once served the community is no longer suitable for the growing population and increased traffic. Community members, commuters, and commercial traffic deserve to feel safe when going about their daily lives, yet in 2023, the life of a 43-year-old woman from Ste. Agathe was lost when the vehicle which she was riding in was struck by a commercial truck. Unfortunately, this follows a growing trend, as in the past seven years alone, at least 20 accidents have occurred in this intersection, causing injuries and fatalities.

In 2022 an in-service road safety review was conducted, which provided recommended upgrades for the intersection. Now it is time to move from recommendations to action. Together with the many people who signed the petition, I am calling on the NDP government to begin making the short and long-term changes needed to this intersection to address the concerns of my constituents and prevent accidents and save lives.

On behalf of the residents who signed the petition and as the MLA for Springfield-Ritchot, I will be reading them in the Manitoba Legislature this spring session. The NDP need to make these improvements to Hwy. 75 and PR 305 intersection a priority and I will work hard to ensure they know the importance this is for my constituents and all Manitobans who travel through this intersection.

I would like to thank all my constituents and Manitobans who signed this petition and made their voices heard. I would especially like to thank the organizers of the petition, Joel Lemoine and Guy St. Hilaire. They have spent countless hours on this petition campaign all to help their neighbours and our province. Their efforts to make a real difference and to improve safety demonstrate the community spirit our region is known for.

The work I value most is serving you and your family as your MLA for Springfield- Ritchot. As always, I welcome any questions or comments by email to Ron@RonSchuler.com or by mail to Box 150, Oakbank, Manitoba R0E 1J0.