Residents in two communities in southwest Manitoba are voicing concerns over hazardous driving conditions on Highway 41 due to extensive damage and missing sections of the road. The highway, located in the rural municipality of Ellice-Archie northwest of Brandon, connects McAuley, St-Lazare, and Binscarth from the Trans-Canada Highway to the Yellowhead Highway.
Ellice-Archie Reeve Barry Lowes described the road as extremely dangerous, citing a personal experience where he damaged his truck’s rim near McAuley while driving to his granddaughter’s graduation. The road conditions have been an issue for over a decade, stemming from flooding in 2011 and 2014 that submerged portions of the highway.
Despite ongoing use by farmers, truckers, and campers, the highway remains riddled with numerous potholes and pavement defects, with some areas showing significant deterioration. Lowes highlighted a particularly problematic section 15 kilometers south of McAuley with broken pavement and holes in both lanes, leading drivers to swerve around the hazards onto gravel shoulders, further damaging the road.
Lowes has persistently urged the government to address the road’s condition, engaging with Manitoba Transportation Minister Lisa Naylor during her visit to the area. While maintenance crews are currently patching up the road, Naylor assured that significant repair work is planned for the near future to address urgent safety concerns and undertake necessary repairs.
Local business owner Dolores Fouillard echoed Lowes’ sentiments, expressing frustration over the temporary fixes and calling for a comprehensive overhaul of the entire highway. With increasing traffic flow, particularly from Manitobans commuting to a nearby potash mine, concerns about safety, especially for school bus transportation, are mounting.
Fouillard emphasized the need for immediate action, citing the substantial traffic volume and the risks posed by deteriorating road conditions. She expressed astonishment at the lack of accidents thus far and stressed the urgency of addressing the highway’s long-standing issues to ensure the safety of all road users.