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Opposition MLA Ron Schuler calls Highway 15 a 'killing field.'
People in Manitoba are calling for upgrades to a number of highways in the province following a rash of deadly crashes.
"In Springfield, we're calling it the killing fields," Ron Schuler, an opposition Progressive Conservative member of the provincial legislature, told CBC News earlier in the week.
Schuler represents communities along Highway 15, east of Winnipeg, a route that has seen increasing amounts of traffic — and traffic accidents — in recent years.
According to statistics provided to CBC News, six people have died in crashes on that highway since 2006.
Bob Dolyniuk, a spokesman for the Manitoba Truckers Association, told CBC News that there are many highways in the province that need improvements.
He says many roads were designed and built in the 1960s and traffic volumes have changed since then.
"To this [NDP] government's credit, certainly they've made investment in infrastructure," Dolyniuk said. "But if you're talking about 40, 50 years of non-investment: that's a lot to catch up."
Sgt. Line Karpish, a spokeswoman for the RCMP in Manitoba, told CBC News that motorists should be aware of highway conditions, and drive accordingly.
She also pointed out that, in some crashes, road conditions were not a factor.
"There are times where drivers need to take responsibility," Karpish said. "You know, you can't blame the roads."
Dolyniuk says the sheer volume of traffic on some highways puts added stress on motorists.
"The less lanes [and] the less space, the more stress there is on the people negotiating those highways," he said.
Manitoba's Highways Department is developing a five-year plan to address construction needs. That is expected to be unveiled in 2011.
