Your commute is about to get even bumpier.
Morning from the Wheat City — here's what's driving Brandon today. You know, you hear about these things, but it always hits different when it's your own backyard. CAA Manitoba just dropped their annual list of the province's worst roads, and for the second year running, Highway 34 took the top spot. That's the road that runs south from Gladstone right to the U.S. border. It’s a crucial artery for our agricultural sector, for tourists heading south, and for folks just trying to get around Westman.
### Why This Matters for Westman
This isn't just about a few potholes. Highway 34, and really, the state of many of our regional highways, directly impacts the bottom line. Think about the trucking companies moving grain from our elevators, or livestock to the Maple Leaf Foods plant. Every bump, every swerve, costs time and money – wear and tear on vehicles, slower transit times. Brandon’s economy relies on efficient transportation, and when key routes are crumbling, it's a drag on our entire regional GDP, which, for Westman, hit $2.9 billion last year.
* It slows down commerce, impacting businesses from farmers to manufacturers like Behlen Industries. * It's a safety concern for everyone, from families driving to the lake to workers commuting daily. * It makes it harder to attract new investment when infrastructure is visibly neglected.
It's frustrating because we see the growth here in Brandon – our population is projected to hit 80,000 by 2040, fueled by immigration and a robust job market. But if the roads leading in and out of the city can't keep up, it creates a real bottleneck. We need investment in infrastructure that matches our economic output and our future potential. This isn't just about comfort; it's about competitive advantage for Brandon and the entire Westman region.
Marcus Fehr, MiTL Sports Desk, Brandon.
The crew on the Morning Wire talks about infrastructure all the time – hear their take live at mornings.live.