Residents in two communities in southwestern Manitoba are expressing frustration over the hazardous conditions of Highway 41, where large potholes and missing sections of pavement are causing dangerous driving situations. The highway, located in the rural municipality of Ellice-Archie northwest of Brandon, connects McAuley, St-Lazare, and Binscarth, stretching from the Trans-Canada Highway to the Yellowhead Highway.

Ellice-Archie Reeve Barry Lowes described the road as “terribly dangerous” and recounted damaging his truck’s rim near McAuley while traveling to his granddaughter’s graduation in June. The issue dates back a decade, with flooding in 2011 and 2014 submerging several parts of the highway.

Despite the longstanding problem, the road sees continuous use by farmers, truckers, and campers. Lowes highlighted the numerous holes of various sizes along the highway, with gaping holes disrupting the center line and chunks missing from the shoulders, marked by pink and white paint.

One particularly concerning section, approximately 15 kilometers south of McAuley, displays broken pavement and holes in both lanes. Warning signs prompt drivers to slow down, but many opt to drive around the holes, exacerbating the road’s deterioration.

Lowes has persistently urged the NDP government to repave the road and engaged with Manitoba Transportation Minister Lisa Naylor during her visit to the rural municipality in the spring. Naylor acknowledged ongoing maintenance efforts on the highway this week, focusing on patching up various sections.

While Naylor assured that significant work is planned in the coming months to address urgent safety concerns and undertake repairs, business owner Dolores Fouillard in St-Lazare emphasized the need for a comprehensive road overhaul beyond temporary fixes. With increased traffic flow, including Manitobans commuting to a nearby potash mine, the deteriorating conditions of Highway 41 pose risks to motorists.

Fouillard voiced concerns about the safety of school bus transportation amid the deteriorating road conditions, emphasizing the high volume of commercial and agricultural traffic passing through the area. She expressed surprise at the absence of accidents despite the road’s perilous state.