Manitoba Highway 83

PTH 83 first appeared on the 1953 Manitoba Highway Map. Prior to 1953, PTH 83 was originally numbered as Highway 22. In 1953, the government re-designated it to match U.S. Route 83. As well, the current section of the highway between Russell and Swan River was known as Highway 31. Originally, the highway's northern terminus was at the Trans-Canada Highway in Virden, making the original length of the highway . The section of PTH 83 between the Trans-Canada Highway and Birtle was opened to traffic in 1954. At the same time, the highway was extended to Swan River, replacing Highway 31. Prior to 2004, PTH 83 travelled into downtown Swan River, ending at an intersection with PTH 10A. That year, a new bypass was opened around the eastern side of town, with PTH 83 being re-routed onto the bypass while the old route became PTH 83A. A small portion of PTH 83 between Roblin and Russell was reconstructed due to a large slide that occurred in early July 2012. The area affected was located one kilometre north of PR 366 at the bottom of the Shell Valley with traffic detoured around that portion of highway. The slide became serious enough to close the road on July 2. The area which was closed had encountered numerous slides in previous years. It was once home to a lookout point over the Assessippi Valley. That lookout point was declared unsafe and was closed during a previous partial collapse of the road. == Major intersections ==

Provincial Trunk Highway 83A Provincial Trunk Highway 83A (PTH 83A is a alternate route of PTH 83 through downtown Swan River. Provincial Road 486 Provincial Road 486 (PR 486) is a north–south loop off of PTH 83 in the Swan River Valley, running between the towns of Durban and Swan River. It lies entirely within the Municipality of Swan Valley West. PR 486 begins at an intersection with PTH 83 just north of Durban, heading south as a paved, two-lane highway to cross a railway and travel along the eastern side of town. Shortly after leaving Durban, the highway makes a sharp left and transitions to gravel, winding its way northeast through rural farmland to cross Ruby Creek several times before having a junction with PR 488 just west of Pretty Valley. Now regaining asphalt, the highway heads due north to travel just east of Kenville to cross the Roaring River twice and have an intersection with PR 485. Shortly thereafter, PR 486 crosses a railway before coming to an end just south of Swan River at another intersection with PTH 83. Prior to 1992, the paved section through Durban was part of a much longer PR 586. When that highway was decommissioned, PR 486 was extended over that section to meet PTH 83. Provincial Road 487 Provincial Road 487 (PR 487) is a north–south loop off of PTH 83 in the Municipality of Swan Valley West, providing access to the localities of Thunder Hill and Harlington, as well as the Thunderhill Ski Area and the Magnet Hill. It is entirely a two-lane highway, with portions being both paved and gravel. The highway travels very close to the Saskatchewan border, and at its closest coming within from the border. PR 487 includes two crossings of the Swan River. Provincial Road 593 Provincial Road 593 (PR 593) is a east–west spur of PTH 83 in the Municipality of Roblin, providing the primary road access to the hamlet of Deepdale. PR 593 begins at an intersection with PR 484 a few kilometres south of Makaroff, heading east to wind down into the Deepdale Valley, crossing Big Boggy Creek and a railway before curving north to travel through Deepdale. Now rising back out of the valley, the highway makes a sudden right turn onto Road 156.5N for a short distance before making a right onto Road 168W. Passing through rural farmland, it heads south for a couple kilometres before curving onto Road 153N as it parallels a railway for short distance. PR 593 comes to an end at a junction with PTH 83 just north of the town of Roblin. It is entirely a gravel two-lane highway. == References ==