October 31, 2014
Manitoba Government Invests more than $2.2 Million for Central Region Municipal Roads
– – –Province's $5.5-billion Plan Includes Improved Infrastructure, Creating Good Jobs for Manitobans: Minister Struthers
PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE—The Manitoba government will invest over $2.2 million of new infrastructure funding for repairs and upgrades to principle municipal roads and community traffic routes identified by Manitoba municipalities throughout the central region, Municipal Government Minister Stan Struthers announced here today. Funding for these projects is provided through the Municipal Road Improvement Program.
“The central region is the transportation hub of the province, funneling commuter and commercial traffic in all directions and linking many major communities to the province’s distribution centres,” said Minister Struthers. “Our investments in infrastructure are important to ensuring safe and smooth travel for local families, commercial vehicles and tourists. We want communities throughout the province to benefit from the economic growth and good jobs that come with these projects.”
Developed and delivered in partnership with the Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM), the Municipal Road Improvement Program will provide $50 million over five years to repair and renew municipal roads across the province, Minister Struthers said.
“The AMM is pleased to be part of the selection process for this program because these infrastructure investments will have a direct impact on the lives of citizens throughout the central region of Manitoba,” said Doug Dobrowolski, president, AMM. “Also, it allows municipal governments to plan ahead and begin working on additional infrastructure projects.”
Funding is being provided to replace or repair more than 117 kilometres of municipal roads in the central area, Minister Struthers said, noting the City of Portage la Prairie is receiving $318,000 for the renewal of Third Street NE, 20th Street SW, First Street NW, Fisher Avenue and Seventh Street NE, and for the construction of the new Park Drive road and walking path. The Rural Municipality of Portage la Prairie is also receiving $150,000 for the rehabilitation of Road 48 W.
The projects are part of the Manitoba government’s $5.5-billionFive-year Plan to Build a Stronger Manitoba. The minister said funds raised from the one-cent-on-the-dollar increase in the PST are being dedicated to new investments in core infrastructure including:
- investing more than $3.7 billion in Manitoba roads, highways and bridges to better connect communities and strengthen trade corridors;
- investing $320 million in flood protection around the province to better protect more communities from flooding; and
- investing more than $1.5 billion in municipal roads, clean water and other municipal infrastructure to help meet the needs of Manitoba’s many growing communities.
“This provincial program goes a long way in supporting our efforts in Portage to build new streets and upgrade existing streets for our citizens,” said Mayor Irvine Ferris. “We appreciate our great working relationship with the province of Manitoba.”
“The Municipal Road Improvement Program has played an integral part in the municipality being able to make improvements to their road infrastructure,” said Kameron Blight, reeve, RM of Portage la Prairie. “The Rural Municipality of Portage la Prairie has over 1,500 km of roads in the municipality, which creates a considerable financial burden to improve them. The matching dollars the municipality has received from the Province of Manitoba through this program has allowed us to upgrade some roads sooner than planned. We thank the province for their financial support and commitment shown to municipalities through this program.”
A list of road renewal projects can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/asset_library/en/MRIP_listing.pdf.
Motorists are reminded to slow down and use caution approaching and in construction zones for their own safety and the safety of workers.
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