The East-Side Transportation Initiative

The East Side Road Authority (ESRA) is undertaking the East Side Transportation Initiative (ESTI), a strategic initiative to provide improved, safe and more reliable transportation service between all of the communities on the east side of Lake Winnipeg and the rest of the province.

The East Side Transportation Initiative has two primary objectives:

  1. Completion of the East Side Large Area Transportation Network Study – A study to examine transportation infrastructure improvements for the entire region known as the East Side of Lake Winnipeg.

  2. Construction of an all-season road from Provincial Road PR 304 - to Berens River All-Season Road – Construction of an all-season road from PR 304 near Manigotagan to Berens River including the engineering and environmental assessment prior to construction.

1) East Side Large Area Transportation Network Study

The East Side Large Area Transportation Network Study is intended to identify potential transportation infrastructure improvements for the east side of Lake Winnipeg. The objective of the study will be to identify transportation improvements that will provide year round access to communities on the east side for use in future detailed design and the potential construction of an all-season road transportation network.

ESRA has enlisted the engineering consultancy firm of SNC-Lavalin/AECOM, as the Project Team to review various route options for consideration in the study. The Project Team is holding Public Open Houses and Community Meetings throughout the region to solicit input from local residents regarding the various preliminary route options based on potential traffic demands, travel distances, construction costs, minimizing environmental and social impacts and respecting traditional land use patterns.

The study began in 2008/09 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2010.

2) All Season Road from PR 304 near Manigotagan to Berens River First Nation  

ESRA has committed to constructing an all-season road from Provincial Road 304 to Berens River First Nation. The all-season road will provide reliable year round access to Hollow Water, Bloodvein, and Berens River First Nation and the communities of Seymourville, Aghaming, Loon Straits, Princess Harbour and Berens River.

The all-season road will be approximately 170 kms (90 kms to Bloodvein and a further 80 kms to Berens River). Presently, there is an approximately 74 kms logging road, known as the Rice River Road, beginning at PR 304. This summer, the first 50 kms (to Loon Straits) of that road is being upgraded by Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation.

ESRA has enlisted SNC-Lavalin/AECOM as the Project Team to review various route options and to conduct the environmental impact assessment of the all-season road.  The Project Team is holding Public Open Houses and Community Meetings throughout the region to solicit input from local residents regarding various preliminary route options and the environmental assessment for the road. 

Pending all necessary environmental approvals, construction of the all-season road is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2010, while upgrades to the Rice River Road and other preliminary work is on going.