PROPOSED PROJECT LOCATION

Intersection of Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway) and Highway 16 (Trans-Canada Yellowhead Highway)

PROPOSED PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Provincial Trunk Highway 1 (PTH 1), also known as the Trans-Canada Highway, connects all ten provinces in Canada, and at a length of just over 7800 km, it is the world's third longest national Highway. Provincial Trunk Highway 16 (PTH 16), also known as the Trans-Canada Yellowhead Highway, is considered part of the National Highway system, connecting the four western provinces from Prince Rupert, BC to PTH 1, 10 km west of Portage La Prairie, Manitoba. South of the PTH 1 intersection is Provincial Road 305 (PR 305). The intersection of these two major highways described above is the focus of this study, as it is a significant junction that accommodates a large number of vehicles each day from local commuters and farmers, to cargo carriers, to cross Canada travellers and vacationers.

The intersection of PTH 1 and PTH 16 is currently an at-grade, 4-legged, signalized intersection, adjacent to two rail lines (CN and CP mainlines), which run parallel to PTH 1. In addition to the rail lines, there are a number of constraints in the area such as local farmsteads, a cemetery, and a gas station (approximately 250m from the intersection). Both PTH 1 and PTH 16 cross Rat Creek within 1 km of the intersection and PTH 1 crosses an unnamed tributary east of PTH 16.

Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation (MIT) has commissioned a study of this intersection to develop a functional design for an interchange, including the local road network, a grade separation of the CNR mainline, and preliminary design of all required structures to meet transportation demands for a minimum of the next 20 years. The goal of this study is to provide an efficient interchange design which improves safety, access control, and minimizes the impacts on local residents, businesses and the surrounding environment.

PROJECT RATIONALE

The purpose of this project is to improve safety and traffic flow by replacing the at grade, signalized intersection of Highway 1 and Highway 16 with an overpass system (interchange).

Project Objectives

The project objectives for this study are as follows:

• Meeting transportation demand for the next 20+ years
• Replace aging bridges and culvert structures
• Design the bridges for a 75 year lifespan
• Provide land owners with safe access to all the highways through the use of service roads
• Maintain traffic connections with Provincial Road 305
• Replace at-grade crossings of CN mainline at Highway 16 with an overpass
• Maintain an at-grade crossing of the CP mainline on Provincial Road 305

Project Components

The project objectives for this study are as follows:

• Construction of an elevated interchange to replace the at-grade signalized intersection
• Realignment of Highway 1 and Highway 16, Provincial Road 305, and associated service roads
• Construction of ten new structures, these include:
• Two bridges on Highway 1 over Rat Creek
• Two bridges on Highway 16 over Rat Creek
• Two new overpass structures at Highway 16 over Highway 1
• Two new overpass structures on Highway 16 over the CN Railway tracks
• Two new bridges on the Highway 1 service road

Stream Crossing Considerations

• Design of stream crossings to minimize impact on fish and wildlife habitat
• Allow for the passage of small boats