WINNIPEG, November 6, 2009 – As part of a comprehensive transit improvement plan approved by City Council, new Diamond Lanes for buses and cyclists will go into effect on November 9th at the following locations during weekday peak periods.

Portage Avenue

• Westbound from Colony to Strathcona (07:00 – 09:00 and 15:30 – 17:30)
• Eastbound from Raglan to St. Mary (07:00 – 09:00 and 15:30 – 17:30)

Main Street

• Southbound from Smithfield to Jarvis (07:00 – 09:00 only)
• Northbound from Jarvis to Inkster (15:30 – 17:30 only)

Goulet Street

• Westbound from Youville to Tache (07:00 – 09:00 only)

McPhillips Street

• Southbound from Hillock to William (07:00 – 09:00 and 15:30 – 17:30)

Motorists are advised new on-street parking restrictions will be also in effect to accommodate new Diamond Lanes on westbound Portage Avenue and on northbound Main Street.

Eligible Diamond Lane users include transit vehicles, cyclists, and right-turning vehicles. Right-turning vehicles, however, must turn right at the first opportunity and “right lane must turn right” signs will be posted at appropriate locations.

Failure to comply with Diamond Lane traffic controls may result in a minimum fine of $190.80 and 2 demerit points. More Diamond Lane information is available online at mpi.mb.ca or winnipeg.ca

Funding for the Diamond Lane project (approximately $2.154 million) is provided by the Federal Gas Tax and Public Transit Capital Trust (PTCT) for projects that enhance transit service in communities across Manitoba.

WINNIPEG, November 6, 2009 – Winnipeg’s Water and Waste Department today recommended a four cent increase in the water rate and a five cent increase in the sewer rate, effective January 1, 2010.

The recommendations contained in the report submitted to the Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works indicate that, under these new rates, a typical residential customer would pay $816.60 per year, an increase of $21.22, or 2.7% over 2009.

Subject to a number of assumptions, the report projects that, over the next 10 years, water rates will need to increase by 12%, and sewer rates by 32%, to fund :

• major capital improvements to the wastewater system, as required by the Province of Manitoba; and,
• increasing costs in the water delivery system, particularly for treatment chemicals and infrastructure renewal.

The environmental licences issued by the Province require that phosphorus, ammonia, and nitrogen to be removed at the City's three wastewater plants. The City maintains that, in keeping with the best scientific advice it has received, phosphorus removal is key to improving conditions in Lake Winnipeg, where the treated water flows, but nitrogen removal is not beneficial.

Nitrogen removal will require upgrades over the next 10 years, including $350 million in capital costs, $194 million in debt financing costs, and $9 million in additional annual operating costs.

For 2010, the recommended rate increases are, for water rates:

• to $1.29 from $1.25 per cubic metre from 0-272 cubic metres/quarter (Block 1)
• to $1.12 from $1.08 per cubic metre from 272.1-2,720 cubic metres/quarter (Block 2)
• to $0.95 from $0.91 per cubic metre over 2,720 cubic metres/quarter (Block 3)

The recommended rate increase for the sewer rate is:

• to $1.91 from $1.86 per cubic metre, based on water used – which includes 18 cents per cubic metre for the Environmental Projects Reserve.

The report on 2010 water and sewer utility rates has been submitted to the Standing Policy Committee for consideration at its meeting on Tuesday, November 10. Persons who want to appear at committee should contact the committee clerk, Ms. Josie Marques at 204-986-4228. The report requires the approval of the Executive Policy Committee before being submitted to City Council for final consideration.

A copy of the report has been posted at http://www.winnipeg.ca/CLKDMIS/

WINNIPEG, November 6, 2009 – Winnipeg’s Water and Waste Department will present a report to the Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works that recommends Council approve a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a landfill gas and resource recovery project at the Brady Landfill site.

The RFP would seek proposals for landfill gas capture, collection, and use from the Brady Road Landfill. It would also ask for proposals regarding other resources at the landfill, including compostable materials, wood, wood waste, cardboard, and other recyclables.

The report notes that finding a way to reduce and make use of emissions from the landfill – which are approximately half methane, half carbon dioxide, with small amounts of trace gases – would be the single most effective action the City could take to fight climate change.

It is estimated that an effective landfill gas and resource recovery project could reduce the City’s greenhouse gas emissions by up to 97,000 tonnes per year.

The report further requires the approval of the Executive Policy Committee before being submitted to City Council for final consideration.

A copy of the report has been posted at http://www.winnipeg.ca/CLKDMIS/