Manitoba | Highways

[bomberjet]

I really don't see the highway (I'll call it that instead of a road) to Churchill as being a money maker in the way the city does their business cases for CPT as an example.

It's either NOTHING happens with pipelines, ports, military (something that is happening but maybe not so public yet), etc. Or the Feds build a highway and provide opportunity for that stuff to happens. There's no way it happens without the Feds. I think we've agreed on that before. Either this all happens with Fed support for the reasons of nation building, etc, etc. Or nothing happens at all.

[jim_bred]

I think it's far more likely they just upgrade the rail and improve the airport.

[Dengler Avenue]

On that note, with Pallister and Trudeau out, are Kinew and Carney on good terms? Any chance that Manitoba will get some cash to upgrade (including twinning) TCH?

[Danny D Oh]

Originally Posted by jim_bred

I think it's far more likely they just upgrade the rail and improve the airport.

Yeah rail would be the first big step to get economic development. Not sure a road (and maintaining it) will ever be viable.

It's a rail/pipeline deal if it ever happens but even the pipeline side probably doesn't have enough time to cash flow positive in terms of economic viability factoring in time/cost to build.

We're still talking about a port that's viable for 100 days a year. And even with climate change the "change" isn't happening that rapidly.

[1ajs]

Originally Posted by Dengler Avenue

On that note, with Pallister and Trudeau out, are Kinew and Carney on good terms? Any chance that Manitoba will get some cash to upgrade (including twinning) TCH?

if nw onterio was twinned all the way it would make sens but at this point meh

[Carboy15]

I kinda feel like rebuilding Port Nelson would be a better idea in some ways. It is already very close to the current road link, has an abandoned railway that could be rebuilt, and would be pretty easy to provide access to.

There were challenges at their first attempt with the silt buildup that required dredging. Therefore I feel like they would have to move it a bit North somewhere that would reduce upkeep.

[harls]

Originally Posted by Carboy15

I kinda feel like rebuilding Port Nelson would be a better idea in some ways.

I would imagine the people in Churchill would be thrilled about that.

[harls]

Originally Posted by VANRIDERFAN

No way, that's our first line of defence. Beat the shit out of the Bradley's and Abrams before they get to the good pavement!

[1ajs]

Originally Posted by Carboy15

I kinda feel like rebuilding Port Nelson would be a better idea in some ways. It is already very close to the current road link, has an abandoned railway that could be rebuilt, and would be pretty easy to provide access to.

There were challenges at their first attempt with the silt buildup that required dredging. Therefore I feel like they would have to move it a bit North somewhere that would reduce upkeep.

unfortnalty due to the dams we built its not as viable as u think

[bomberjet]

From my understanding, the silting conditions at the Nelson river mouth are bad and will require significant dredging efforts. And maintenance of that dredging. I'm not sure how or if the hydro dams play into that at all.

The port nelson project is definitely easier in terms of access by road and rail. The worst parts of the Hud Bay railway are to the north through the muskeg areas. Port Nelson avoids all that. reinstating the railway to Port Nelson and building the highway along side would be relatively easy from a technical perspective. Pipeline, easy. Everything easier than getting to Churchill.

The Churchill Port is already operating. So it has the benefit off all that comes with that.

There are some maps posted on SSP I believe of the Port Nelson location. Showing the deep channel areas, and where dredging is required. We'll see if I can dig some of those up.

[Carboy15]

https://www.manitobacooperator.ca/news-opinion/news/students-push-for-manitoba-road-upgrades/

[bomberjet]

^ IIRC there was a recent plan drawn up by the Province on this very topic. I'll see if I can find it. Something like 'key trade route' network. A grid of roads to be upgraded to a certain standard. I assume RTAC but i'll have to see fi that plan went anywhere.

[bomberjet]

Trade and commerce grid initiative. Second link is a specific presentation with maps.
https://www.gov.mb.ca/mti/myhis/pdf/2024_multi-year_infrastructure_investment_strategy.pdf
https://www.gov.mb.ca/asset_library/enga...e_commerce_route/public_presentation.pdf

Full map: https://gov.mb.ca/asset_library/engagemb/infrastructure/trade_commerce_route/public_full_map.pdf

I wonder if the students read the plan and came up with this.

[BlackDog204]

Originally Posted by Dengler Avenue

On that note, with Pallister and Trudeau out, are Kinew and Carney on good terms? Any chance that Manitoba will get some cash to upgrade (including twinning) TCH?

Aside from a very small section near the Ontario border, where is the TCH not twinned?

[1ajs]

NW onterio

[BorealLynx]

Originally Posted by BlackDog204

Aside from a very small section near the Ontario border, where is the TCH not twinned?

That very small section poses some big challenges due to the terrain and existing infrastructure, and will be very expensive to complete.

[Dengler Avenue]

Originally Posted by BorealLynx

That very small section poses some big challenges due to the terrain and existing infrastructure, and will be very expensive to complete.

It’s not the Lake Superior Shore. While blasting shield rocks isn’t cheap, it’s not terribly expensive either.

[bomberjet]

Apparently the MB twinning is in the $500 million to $1 billion dollar range.

Maybe if the Province ever gets around to releasing some better info, we'd know. I think they were in preliminary design phase, but I can't remember to be honest.

[Hecate]

Originally Posted by bomberjet

Apparently the MB twinning is in the $500 million to $1 billion dollar range.

Maybe if the Province ever gets around to releasing some better info, we'd know. I think they were in preliminary design phase, but I can't remember to be honest.

Isn’t it like less than 20 km left to go… 500 million to a billion dollars for that… and nobody’s asking any questions…

[harls]

A50 in Quebec had the same terrain as NW Ontario and that bit before West Hawk Lake, and I don't think it cost this much back when they widened it for what, $15M per km? This was in 2020.

A billion dollars for 20 km of roadway sounds pretty collusive to me.