Portage la Prairie Bypass
The Trans-Canada Highways original route was right through town along Saskatchewan Ave (now 1A). This route runs for 11 kilometres (7 mi) though slightly longer westbound than eastbound. Because of busy traffice, the speed limit is 50 km/h (31 mph) within city limits unless otherwise posted.
In 1970, the bypass to the south of Portage la Prairie was completed. This was given the #1 designation, and the old “local” route was given the 1A designation.
On October 6, 2006 the Trans-Canada Highway Portage la Prairie by-pass was closed due to a structural defect found in the bridge over the CN Rail Line. On October 31, 2007, a $19 million project to rebuild the bridge was completed, and the by-pass was fully re-opened to traffic.
Junction with Highway 16 Yellowhead Route
On April 9, 2008, the Government of Manitoba announced that construction of a new interchange would begin in the summer of 2008 at the intersection of Highway 16 (the Yellowhead Highway) and the Trans-Canada Highway mainline route, located about 10 km west of Portage la Prairie. This project has been delayed and is now scheduled for completion by 2015.
Winnipeg Route & Perimeter Highway
In Winnipeg the Trans-Canada Highway was originally routed directly through the city of Winnipeg on city streets, entering the city from the west and continuing along Portage Avenue, Broadway, Main Street, Queen Elizabeth Way, St. Mary’s Road, St. Anne’s Road, and Fermor Avenue.
Since 1955, the Perimeter Highway (designated Provincial Trunk Highways “PTH” 100 and 101) has encircled Winnipeg, for 90 km (56 mi) long. It provides an alternate route around Winnipeg for through traffic on the Trans-Canada Highway, wishing to avoid congested city streets.
The southern segment of the Perimeter Highway is part of the Trans-Canada Highway as a Winnipeg bypass, and designated as Highway 100. The northern segment is a provincial highway designated as PTH 101. The Perimeter Highway bridge across the Red River and roadway at Pembina Highway were constructed in 1958.
In 1955, the northeast section was left unbuilt, though PTH 59 continued to serve as the de facto northeast leg of the Perimeter until the mid-1990s, when the remaining segments of the highway were completed to fully encircle Winnipeg.
Most of the Perimeter is a four-lane divided expressway, with interchanges and at-grade intersections. The only section that remains two-lane is in the vicinity of the PTH 59N interchange. In 2015, construction began to replace the at-grade intersection at PTH 59 (also known as Route 20 or Lagimodiere Blvd) with a modified Cloverleaf interchange with construction to be complete by 2018.
Other Resources
More Trans-Canada Highway History
Trans-Canada Highway Itinerary Map
Use mouse to drag/move map. Click on “+” or “–” to zoom in or out. “Satellite” combines map & photo.