Manitoba’s Transportation and Infrastructure Minister made a stop in Thompson on Friday to announce the government is investing in overhauling the Miles Hart Bridge.

Doyle Piwniuk says 36 million dollars will go towards the project, which is slated to start this August and be completed by 2024.

Thompson Mayor Colleen Smook says talks to update the bridge have been going on since at least 2017, as it’s been a vital link between the city and surrounding communities for more than 50 years.

A press release from the province states the bridge rehabilitation represents an important investment in all-season access for residents for several communities like Nelson House, Leaf Rapids, and Lynn Lake, the latter being the site of the Alamos gold mine exploration project.

The Alamos gold mine is projected to extract 145 thousand ounces of gold per year with expected mine life of twelve years that is said to create more than five hundred jobs.