The Provincial Road 227 bridge over Willowbend Creek, located approximately 2.8 kilometers east of Highway 16, is undergoing a full replacement, resulting in significant detours for local and regional traffic.
According to Kyle Hamilton, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of the Rural Municipality of Portage la Prairie, “"The structure has passed its life span, [the province] would just be replacing it as part of their normal capital improvement projects."
Temporary road closure in effect
The ongoing construction project has led to a temporary road closure for all traffic, with exceptions made only for local access and construction vehicles. As a result, travelers are directed to a detour route, which follows Highway 16, Highway 1, and PR 240 North to bypass the affected section of PR 227.
The bridge over Willowbend Creek is part of a routine infrastructure renewal as the structure has reached the end of its design life.
Timeline for the road closure
A spokesperson for the province says the construction is expected to last for several months.
The Willowbend Creek bridge is scheduled to be completed by fall 2025, but the exact timing depends on weather conditions and other variables affecting construction progress.
Additional construction on PR 227
In addition to the Willowbend Creek bridge, two other structure replacements are taking place on PR 227 over Sturgeon Creek.
These structures are located approximately 5.4 km and 1.3 km west of PTH 6, respectively.
Design work for these replacements is currently underway, with construction expected to begin in fall 2025. Both projects are expected to be completed by summer 2026.
These replacements are part of the same ongoing effort to replace aging infrastructure along PR 227, which serves as a key route for both local and regional traffic.