(Manitoba-Minnesota Transmission Project Preferred Route)

Manitoba Hydro is holding another series of public open houses to discuss the preferred route for the Manitoba-Minnesota Transmission Project.

Spokesperson Scott Powell says based on feedback from two previous rounds they have come up with a preferred route which will be presented to the public at these meetings.

"Part of our public engagement process for these new major projects is that we engage with the public and our different stakeholders throughout the process," says Powell. "This forms part of our environmental impact statement that we submit to regulators."

The open houses will run from 3 to 8 pm on the following dates and locations:

February 10 - Zhoda, Community Centre, corner of Road 16 & Balla Road

February 11 - Piney, Community Centre, Hwy 89

February 12 - Winnipeg, Holiday Inn South, 1330 Pembina Hwy

February 17 - LaBroquerie, Arena Hall, 35 Normandeau Bay

February 24 - Ste. Anne, Seine River Banquet Centre, 80A Arena Rd

March 4 - Headingley, Community Centre, 5353 Portage Ave

March 5 - Oak Bluff, Recreation Centre, 101 MacDonald Rd

March 11 - Richer, Richer Young at Heart Community Club, Dawson Rd at Hwy 302

March 12 - Dugald, Community Centre, 544 Holland St

"Obviously we've received a lot of input and direction from people," says Powell. "We've incorporated some of those changes and learned about some of the areas and made adjustments as we go through the process and that's the reason we do this engagement is to ensure that we're aware of any public concerns."

According to Powell, his anticipation is that developing the final preferred route will be completed and submitted this summer for regulatory approval to both Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship and the National Energy Board.

Powell encourages anyone with an interest in this project to come out. He says the goal is to hear from everybody and then try and incorporate their thoughts into the project as much as possible.