Consultations on future of deadly Manitoba crash intersection coming soon

Three options to make site of deadly crash safer The province is exploring ways to upgrade safety at an intersection where a crash killed 17 seniors. Jeff Keele reports.

Public consultations on the future look of an intersection where a deadly bus crash occurred in Manitoba are expected to get underway soon.

A spokesperson for the Manitoba government said the consultations for the intersection of Highway 5 and the Trans-Canada Highway will likely start before July 1, and be finished in the fall.

The consultations will include local residents, municipal government and trucking companies.

A crash involving a semi and a bus carrying seniors to a Carberry casino took place at the intersection on June 15, 2023, killing 17 people.

Options floated for the intersection already include creating a roundabout, widening the median to provide a safe space for vehicles to stop while crossing the highway, or a restricted crossing U-turn or RCUT.

The RCUT would not allow vehicles to cross the highway directly; rather they would have to turn onto the highway and then use a U-turn lane.

A fourth option could potentially come out of discussions, the spokesperson said.

A decision on the final design option and layout is expected in early 2025, with construction finished in 2026.

-With files from CTV’s Danton Unger