New Investments in Riding Mountain National Park

December 19, 2014 – Dauphin, Manitoba Office of the Minister of the Environment, Parks Canada

Robert Sopuck, Member of Parliament for Dauphin–Swan River–Marquette, on behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, today announced substantial investments in Riding Mountain National Park designed to renew infrastructure and support Canada’s National Conservation Plan (NCP).

Mr. Sopuck announced more than $39 million in investments to support the following infrastructure improvements in Riding Mountain National Park:

$36.4 million over 5 years for the resurfacing of Highway 10. Resurfacing of Highway 10 through the park will improve safety for visitors, enhance tourism for local and regional communities and businesses, and promote wildlife viewing and sightseeing along one of Manitoba’s most scenic highways.
$2.7 million for the Wasagaming Campground to expand the oTENTik rental facilities, add water and electrical utility services to approximately 200 sites, and improve washroom buildings and picnic shelters for an improved visitor experience.
The NCP, launched by Prime Minister Stephen Harper on May 15, 2014, provides a shared and coherent vision to advance conservation efforts across the country. The investments being announced today directly contribute to the NCP by taking concrete action to connect Canadians safely with nature.

Quick Facts

Highway 10 was built in the 1930s and was seen as a major improvement for both visitors and the business community, as the driving distance between Dauphin and Brandon was shortened by 75 km.
The Government historically has invested significant funds each year in the maintenance and recapitalization of infrastructure in national parks and national historic sites as part of Parks Canada’s operating budget.
Canada’s Economic Action Plan 2014 committed $391.5 million over five years for improvements to highways, bridges and dams in our national parks and along heritage canals.
On November 24, the Prime Minister announced an additional $2.8 billion to support infrastructure improvements to heritage, tourism, waterway and highway assets located within national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas across Canada. This was part of a new $5.8 billion federal infrastructure program.
Parks Canada investments support the Government’s National Conservation Plan while also creating jobs, promoting tourism and supporting communities across Canada.
“Our Government is proud to be making record investments in Parks Canada sites across the country. Investments like these in Riding Mountain National Park are encouraging job creation and economic growth, while taking tangible actions to help Canadians connect with this incredible national park.”

Associated Links: National Conservation Plan | Parks Canada: www.pc.gc.ca

BACKGROUNDER

Riding Mountain National Park: Investing in Highway 10

Highway 10 was built in the 1930s and was seen as a major improvement for both visitors, residents and the business community in the region. Highway 10 was redeveloped in 1970s and 1980s to improve its character as a 54-km scenic parkway with improved vistas, slower traveling speeds and as a part of regional tourism enhancements. The Highway is seen as a scenic attraction in south western Manitoba and is a well-known wildlife viewing opportunity for moose, bear and deer. In June 2011, heavy rains threatened to collapse of a portion of the highway. This event led to emergency funding for highway repairs to ensure public safety and to protect highway integrity.

Management of traffic along Highway 10 has focused on maintaining public safety, reducing wildlife-vehicle encounters, enhancing visitor experiences and protecting the long-term structural integrity of the Highway. Some of the steps that have been taken to manage traffic along Highway 10 include a posted speed limit of 80 km/h and reduction in the use of salt to reduce attracting wildlife on the road to protect this resource and enhance public safety.

The reconstruction of Highway 10 with present road standards and alignment will cost $36.4 M which will be allocated over five years. Design and preparatory work is currently being done with construction beginning in the spring of 2015. The work entails resurfacing the entire 54 km of the parkway and improving ditches, culverts and drainage at problematic sections of the highway. Only minor widening of the highway will be required at a few select locations, which will result in minimal habitat disturbance. The work to be conducted on Highway 10 is an example of Parks Canada’s commitment to environmental stewardship and the government’s National Conservation Plan to connect Canadians to nature.