November 25, 2014
Manitoba Government Introduces New Legislation that would Focus Priorities on All-season Road Network
– – –Manitoba East Side Road Authority to Continue Record of Progress: Minister Robinson
Legislation tabled today would put greater emphasis on building the all-season road network on the east side of Lake Winnipeg by working in partnership with First Nations, creating jobs and opportunities for Manitobans living in remote locations, Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Minister Eric Robinson, minister responsible for the Manitoba Floodway and East Side Road Authority, announced today.
The proposed Manitoba Floodway and East Side Road Authority amendment act would enable the government to resume responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the Red River Floodway, and rename the authority to the Manitoba East Side Road Authority, that would reflect its new more focused mandate.
“With the floodway as its example, the Manitoba Floodway and East Side Road Authority demonstrated how this innovative model incorporating best practices in Aboriginal procurement can complete major infrastructure projects on time and on budget,” said Minister Robinson. “The authority will now focus solely on the East Side road project. All-season road access will greatly reduce the cost of goods and services, provide increased access to health and social services, and provide new economic opportunities for east side residents.”
Minister Robinson noted the Bloodvein River Bridge, which was completed in 2014, is already providing all-season road access for residents of the Bloodvein First Nation.
Minister Robinson also noted the floodway expansion project was completed on time and under budget by $38 million. That funding was reinvested into upgrades to Brandon’s dikes and conversion of temporary dikes built during the 2011 flood into permanent flood protection in the communities of Wawanesa, Souris, Melita/Arthur, Duck Bay, Waterhen and the rural municipalities of St. Clements, East St. Paul and West St Paul.
To date, the East Side Road project has created more than 600 jobs for east side residents and invested $80 million into east side communities, Minister Robinson said.
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