The intersection of PTH 32 and Pembina Ave. in Winkler is expected to be complete early October, pushing the congested highway closer to the long-anticipated four laning.

While summer rains initially delayed the project, Winkler Mayor Martin Harder says the highway should be reopened in the coming weeks.

"I think it's going along very well now that they've finally found a base, and it will be a better intersection because of it," Harder says.

He notes the $1.3 million project is only a stepping stone, adding four laning may soon be within reach.

"The only reason this project is being done is in order to prepare for the next phase of the expansion of the four lane," Harder says. "We needed a place where we could properly disseminate the traffic at one point so that it's easier to do the detours at a later time."

Harder explains he plans on meeting with the Infrastructure Minister to convince the Province of the need to continue construction in the coming years.

The City also took advantage of the current detour to install new culverts between Mountain Ave. and South Railway, another step in preparing PTH 32 for four laning.

Harder notes more projects are planned for 2017 to further pave the way.

"Hopefully over the next two years we can look back and say, "finally we got it,"" Harder says.

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