Manitoba to create new trucking highway fund

WINNIPEG, (Jan. 30, 2004) — The province of Manitoba has proposed creating what it calls a Trucking Productivity Improvement Fund as part of new changes to the Highway and Transportation and Highway Traffic Act.

The fund, according to Manitoba’s Transportation and Government Services Minister Ron Lemieux, will be dedicated to specific highway infrastructure improvements such as upgrading the load-carrying capacity, and safety of highways.

Private sector investors and government are expected to jointly contribute to the fund, which will generate revenue through private contributions, oversize/overweight permit fees, and collected fines from truck violations.

Although the Manitoba Trucking Association supports user fees being allocated to highway infrastructure, it said the proposed amendment — as well as a government pledge for more fuel tax dedication — is not enough to reverse the problem of deteriorating highways. The problem can only be fixed with financial investment of by levels of government, the association said.