WINNIPEG, Man. — The Manitoba Trucking Association has renewed its call for a permanent solution to Highway 75 flood closures, after the main corridor was shut down Tuesday afternoon. The detour to the US border, as designated by the Manitoba government, adds approximately 100 kilometres to any southern route, the group said.

The MTA says that it was only a matter of time until Highway 75 was closed given the state of water levels in the province. In 2009, the highway closed for 35 days and added $1.5 million a week to the cost of trucking goods between Canada and US.

MTA executive director Bob Dolyniuk says he expects the costs of the closure to be equal to, if not higher to that year.

“With over 1,100 trucks per day travelling both ways on Highway 75, its imperative now more than ever that we have a permanent solution to the yearly flooding question,” he said. “Commerce in Manitoba depends on it, as do our members. The detour facing drivers each year adds fuel costs, labour costs and other unnecessary burdens.”