Manitoba plans rehab of Miles Hart Bridge

NELSON HOUSE, MAN.—Manitoba is planning to spend $36 million fixing the Miles Hart Bridge.

The bridge crosses the Burntwood River three kilometres north of Provincial Trunk Highway 6 in Thompson.

“Our government recognizes the importance of quality infrastructure in strengthening transportation routes and contributing to economic development, a commitment we confirmed in the three-year capital plan announced as part of Budget 2022,” said Doyle Piwniuk, transportation and infrastructure minister, in a statement. “This project will provide an improved, safe and sustainable bridge crossing on Provincial Road (PR) 391 for residents and communities in northern Manitoba, while also helping to facilitate economic development by creating employment and boosting the local and provincial economies.”

Officials noted the bridge is a vital link between Thompson and the northern communities. It’s also essential as a transportation hub for northern Manitoba, connecting road and rail cargo to the airport.

Construction on the Miles Hart Bridge is scheduled to kickoff this August and be substantially complete in 2024.

Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure plans to partner with the community to pay tribute to Indigenous culture by featuring inspirational sayings in local languages as part of the project.

“It is essential to see investments that maintain and rehabilitate critical infrastructure in northern Manitoba,” said Grand Chief Garrison Settee of the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO). “MKO citizens travel to Thompson regularly to access health-care services. Everyone deserves access to safe highway infrastructure. I encourage the Province of Manitoba to continue investing in our region.”

According to the province, the bridge acts as the entrance onto PR 391, making upgrades an important investment in all-season access for residents of several communities, including Nelson House, Leaf Rapids and Lynn Lake, the latter being the site of the Alamos gold mine exploration project.

Once operational, the Alamos gold mine is projected to extract 145,000 ounces of gold per year with an expected mine life of 12 years that would create more than 500 jobs. The company has indicated ore hauling will begin next year, utilizing a significant stretch of PR 391.