Highway Traffic Board approves speed limit increase

Manitoba's NDP government has been given the green light to raise the highway speed limit from 100 km/h to 110 km/h on two major highways.

The Highway Traffic Board, which held public hearings on the matter earlier this year, gave its approval Wednesday to raising the limit on the Trans-Canada Highway west of Winnipeg and on most of Highway 75, which runs between Winnipeg and the U.S. border.

Supporters of the plan, such as the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce, have said raising the limit would help speed the movement of goods and people, and put Manitoba in line with other Prairie provinces.

Opponents, including the Manitoba Trucking Association, have noted vehicles burn more fuel at higher speeds and raised concerns about an increase in the number or severity of traffic accidents.

The provincial cabinet must still decide when the limit will be raised.