Manitoba flooding closes main Winnipeg-U.S. route

MORRIS, Man. — The main highway artery between Winnipeg and North Dakota is still closed as emergency crews continue to clean up a flood that put much of Hwy. 75 underwater.

Traffic on the main commercial route is being diverted around Morris, Man. as floodwaters closed more than a dozen roads and bridges yesterday. Officials said the highway could be closed for up to 10 days provided the situation doesn’t worsen with more precipitation.

About 1,500 trucks pass through Morris daily. The route is closed completely from Highway 205 to Morris.

Bob Dolyniuk, general manager for the Manitoba Trucking Association, told Canadian Press that delays caused by the detour could cost the trucking industry about $85,000 a day when extra driver pay and fuel costs are taken into account.

Winnipeg was stable, but water levels continued to rise around the southern part of the province last night.

Trucks and other travelers going south can link up with Interstate 29 in North Dakota by taking Hwy. 3 to 14 and back to 75.

— from Canadian Press