November 28, 2014
Manitoba Government Announces Infrastructure Innovations Council Members
– – –Making Manitoba a Centre of Excellence for Innovation in Infrastructure: Minister Ashton
Manitoba’s groundbreaking joint Infrastructure Innovations Council (IIC) membership was announced today by Infrastructure and Transportation Minister Steve Ashton andChris Lorenc, president, Manitoba Heavy Construction Association (MHCA).
“We have a very knowledgeable group of experts on this new council and we look forward to creative ideas on how to make Manitoba’s Five-Year Core Infrastructure Program even more effective,” said Minister Ashton. “The council will help accelerate road construction, build capacity in the industry and meet core infrastructure investment targets.”
“Our vision is to harness the opportunity of Manitoba’s Five-Year Core Infrastructure Program and to establish Manitoba as the first Canadian Core Infrastructure Centre of Excellence and Innovation,” said Lorenc. “We will implement innovation in core infrastructure design, construction, maintenance, rehabilitation and related best practices.”
The minister made the announcement at the MHCA annual general meeting held in Winnipeg. The composition of the council is:
- chair – Chris Lorenc, president, MHCA;
- vice-chair – Doug McNeil, deputy minister, Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation;
- Richard Tebinka, Association of Consulting Engineering Companies, Manitoba;
- John Bockstael, Canadian Construction Innovations;
- Andy Horosko, ISIS Canada (Intelligent Sensing for Innovative Structures);
- Henry Borger, Manitoba Heavy Construction Association;
- Lance Vigfusson, Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation; and
- Ruth Eden, Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation.
Minister Ashton also praised the recipients of this year’s MHCA awards. The list of this year’s recipients will be posted online at www.gov.mb.ca/mit/contracts/index.html.
“We congratulate this group of outstanding road builders in Manitoba who do excellent work,” said the minister. “We also salute all companies working to improve infrastructure across Manitoba.”
The Manitoba government recently released the list of upcoming core infrastructure projects a month early to give the construction industry a head start as they gear up to build and repair highways, roads and bridges across the province in 2015. Minister Ashton noted the new council will also be a source of feedback to government along with advice on how to more efficiently manage projects.
The Manitoba government also announced today it will continue to invest in smart infrastructure for bridges and roads, including advanced composite materials and structural health monitoring systems.
“Over the past 13 years, we have partnered with ISIS Canada Resource Centre on research into the use of innovative materials and technologies for new construction and rehabilitation of existing structures,” Minister Ashton said. “This has paid off with higher standards and longer life for our transportation infrastructure.”
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