Winnipeg, MB – The Preliminary 2022 Balanced Budget Update continues to prioritize record funding into road renewal in Winnipeg.
“Fixing our roads continues to be a top priority of Winnipeggers,” said Councillor Jeff Browaty, North Kildonan. “Thanks to continued, sustained investments we are finally starting to make progress towards tackling our infrastructure deficit and the Preliminary 2022 Balanced Budget Update proposes to continue those investments.”
The Preliminary 2022 Balanced Budget Update proposes an investment of $164.7 million into local and regional road renewal, which includes an additional $2.2 million contribution over the forecasted plan for our regional roads program dedicated entirely to active transportation projects that are funded from existing service sharing agreements with neighbouring municipalities.
Financing for the roads investment will temporarily change from previous years. In 2022, $12.6 million of the proposed two percent property tax increase will be used to protect front line services rather than financing regional and local road renewals. The $12.6 million for regional and local road renewals will be funded through the City’s share of the additional Canada Community - Building Fund (formerly called the Federal Gas Tax fund) which can only be used for capital investments. This will allow the City to maintain a record, $164.7 million investment in road renewals in 2022 while also protecting vital services during the pandemic.
This level of projected investment would result in the renewal of approximately 143 lane kilometers, which is slightly greater than the distance from Portage & Main to Austin, Manitoba.
This investment will support important projects across all areas of Winnipeg, including:
- Zoo Crescent and Conservatory Drive
- Wall Street from St. Matthews Avenue to Notre Dame Avenue
- Munroe Avenue from Raleigh Street to Henderson Highway
- Jubilee Avenue from Osborne Street to Pembina Highway
- Mountain Avenue from Arlington Street to McPhillips Street
- Mattinee Bay
- Leila Avenue from McPhillips Street to McGregor Street
- William Avenue from Arlington Street to McPhillips Street
- Stafford Street from Corydon Avenue to Pembina Highway
- Archibald Street from Plinguet Avenue to Doucet Street
- Sturgeon Road from Ness Avenue to Hallonquist Drive
- Briar Cliff Bay
- Moore Avenue from River Road to St. Mary’s Road
- Winona Street from Kildare Avenue West to Regent Avenue West
- Chancellor Drive from Augusta Drive to Quincy Bay
The six-year capital investment plan proposes an investment of $872.9 million into regional and local road renewals. This level of investment would result in approximately 1,035 lane kms of road reconstruction or renewals, slightly more than the distance from Winnipeg to Churchill.
“Ensuring we have a safe, efficient road network will continue to be a key asset in the growth and prosperity of our city. Whether it’s for the transportation of goods, people in private vehicles, or residents riding Winnipeg Transit, everyone has an interest in the quality of our roads,” concluded Browaty.