Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure says a portion of the South Perimeter Highway will be closed for several weeks for the construction of the new interchange at St. Mary's.

From June 12-30, the South Perimeter Highway will be closed overnight from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for bridge construction for the St. Mary's Road Interchange Project, part of the Winnipeg One Million Perimeter Freeway Initiative, which aims to support Manitoba as an international trade hub and accommodate the anticipated future population of Winnipeg and surrounding areas.

The initiative includes a plan to upgrade the Perimeter Highway to a freeway standard as Winnipeg approaches a population of one million.

Motorists are encouraged to avoid the area. Motorists looking to bypass Winnipeg should consider using the North Perimeter Highway to avoid delays.

For local traffic, a detour using St. Anne’s Road, Abinojii Mikanah (formerly Bishop Grandin Boulevard) and St. Mary’s Road will be in place. Motorists should also consider using alternate routes along other city arterial streets outside the closure area.

Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure will update impacts to traffic through the Manitoba 511 information system at www.manitoba511.ca.