You won't believe which highway is the worst again
Morning from Swan Valley — here's what matters in the northwest.
You know, every spring when the snow finally pulls back and the frost heaves really start to show their teeth, we all start talking about the roads. But CAA Manitoba has made it official again. For the second year running, Highway 34, down south between Gladstone and the US border, is the province’s worst road. It’s a trek for us, sure, but it speaks to a bigger issue about how we maintain our arteries here in Manitoba. It's not just a southern problem; it affects the whole province.
This matters to us up here in the Swan Valley, even if Highway 34 is a long way from Thunder Hill. We rely on those provincial highways to get our grain to market, to bring in supplies for the mills, and to connect with family down south or out west. If one major route is falling apart, it’s a sign that our infrastructure struggles are widespread. It’s not just about comfort; it’s about commerce and connection. When we talk about self-sufficiency here in Swan River, it’s not because we want to be cut off; it’s because we understand that sometimes, you just have to fix things yourself.
What This Means for Swan River
* **Shipping Costs:** Poor roads mean rougher rides and more wear and tear on trucks, which can drive up costs for everything from groceries to lumber.
* **Travel Time:** Everyone traveling through the province, whether for work or visiting the Duck Mountains, faces delays and frustration.
* **Infrastructure Investment:** It highlights the need for consistent investment across all our provincial highways, not just the ones close to Winnipeg.
It’s a reminder that even though we're five hours from the capital, what happens on the roads across Manitoba impacts us directly. We see it on the Swan Valley snowmobile trails when the groomers are down, and we see it when a logging truck has to take a detour. We do just fine up here, but a little more attention to the basics, like our roads, would benefit everyone.
Beth Makarchuk, MiTL Sports Desk, Swan River.
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