Province examines higher speed limits

After years of mulling over the idea, the provincial government is takings steps toward raising the speed limit on some of its highways.

The government is hiring engineers to determine if the speed limit should be raised to 110 km/h , from 100 km/h, on as many as a dozen four-lane divided highways.

Transportation Minister Scott Smith said several safety issues must be examined.

"The engineers have to take into account some of the newer construction and the older highway construction," he said.

"For instance, some of the older highways were developed and built with some of the turning radiuses that were quite a bit sharper than what they have today."

Changes in vehicles over the years will also be taken into account.

"The weights of a lot of the vehicles and the size of a lot of vehicles have changed considerably over the last number of years," said Smith.

Opponents warn of increased danger, fuel costs

The engineering study will look at several major highways, including the Trans-Canada, Winnipeg's Perimeter, and Highway 75, which runs between Winnipeg and the U.S. border. Highways 7, 8 and 59, which run north of the capital to Lake Winnipeg, will also be examined.

Smith suggested the Trans-Canada was most likely to see a change.

"The Trans-Canada Highway, for instance — a double-lane highway that's built to modern standards without a lot of twists and turns in it — that … may be a highway that will get an increase in speed."

Proponents of the plan, including the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce, applaud the move, saying it will speed the movement of goods and people.

The Manitoba Trucking Association, however, has expressed opposition to the move, saying higher speeds burn more fuel and result in a higher rate of accidents.

Smith has asked for final recommendations from the engineers by April 2007.

Some changes could be in place by next fall.

Alberta, Saskatchewan and other provinces already allow drivers to travel 110km/h on some highways.