#10 curves nearing completion

Friday, 13 September 2019 09:43

#10 curves nearing completion

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Keith Thorburn of Direct Traffic stops motorists at the curves north of Boissevain, as construction continues on the last phase of the local #10 Highway project. The sign and flag people, who help keep traffic moving while workers do their job, work 12-16 hour shifts, getting 15 minute breaks periodically throughout the day. To avoid drowsy moments and for traffic safety, workers are not given chairs to rest on, long hours of standing are a matter of course. Thorburn said that the job brings some frustrated comments by travellers, but other times people are sympathetic and have even dropped off some cold drinks on hot days. Thorburn has been with the company since June, working in different areas around the province.

Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation are hoping to have the last phase of the #10 Highway project done before the snow flies.

Work has been progressing on the curves north of Boissevain since spring. Like much of the highway north and south of Boissevain, the existing curves were in rough shape. The Province of Manitoba began planning the project several years ago, at the same time as the other work on the road was being done. As the existing double curve located just north of town did not meet current standards – as a Road Transportation Association of Canada (RTAC) route, a high level of safety was necessary – they decided not to re-work the old road, but to build new curves. This meant working with landowners and designing a new route. The new curves have a wider curve radius, improved elevation, paved shoulders and fewer access points. These will improve safety and bring them up to current standards.

Work began in July 2018, with the majority of the grading for the road alignment done. They started again on the week of May 27 this year. Work is being done by GNS Energy Services. Both curves have been tied into the existing alignment and paving is complete. The contractor is currently pulverizing the pavement on the old curves in order to salvage as much as possible from them for further work. The old curves are to be removed and leveled. At present, they are putting gravel on the shoulders of the roads, and Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation are to paint the lines.

The work on the curves will cost $4.7 million.

The hope is, weather permitting, this can be fully completed this fall. This is the end of the Highway #10 project in the Boissevain area. At present, MIT is planning some work on other local highways. This includes culvert jacking on PTH 18 between Killarney and Ninette, with roadwork started this year, current paving on #2, east of Souris, and there is planned repaving of roads in the Lake Adam campground, a previously announced Manitoba 150 project.

by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff

Read 291 times Last modified on Friday, 13 September 2019 09:48

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