City increases pothole patching arsenal
Three new machines hit the streets

WINNIPEG - MARCH 29, 2005 - Committed to tackling Winnipeg’s seasonal road problems, Mayor Sam Katz today announced that the Department of Public Works will double the size of its Pothole Patcher fleet to six units for this season, and committed to increasing funding for preventative pavement maintenance once federal gas tax revenues arrive.

“We can’t change our climate, but we can improve the efficiency and resources available to our Public Works department,” said Katz. “I have been working with Public Works on innovative solutions to deal with this annual challenge, and an increase of resources, together with improved political commitment from all levels of government to support our infrastructure will help us bring this problem under control.”

“The Pothole Patchers not only work quickly, but provide a superior, long lasting patch and are very safe from an operator’s perspective,” said Bill Larkin, Director of Public Works. “This will help ensure we are able to respond to our pothole problem much quicker than we have in the past.”

The Federal Government pledged at least $11 million in fiscal year 2005 to Winnipeg through a gas-tax sharing arrangement. The funds represent the first step in a five year program of direct assistance in Winnipeg’s challenge to grapple with a $2 billion infrastructure deficit.

“The support of the federal government is a great first step,” said Katz. “I know there are a lot of priorities, but the citizens expect tackling pot holes to be one of them, and I intend to meet that expectation.”

The launch today of the three new patching machines will bring the total city fleet to six.

The City currently budgets approximately $1.1 million annually for pothole patching. The lease cost for the new machines will be accommodated within the 2005 pothole patching budget of $1.1 million.