Budget 2013: Funding for Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor made a priority

Released: December 13, 2012 at 10:31 a.m.
Additional budget set aside for Eastern Rapid Transit design work

WINNIPEG, MB - Mayor Sam Katz today announced that the City's share of the funds required for the completion of the second phase of the Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor will be identified in the 2013 Capital Budget and 2014-2018 Capital Budget Forecast.

The preliminary, high-level estimate for the completion of the Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor is $350 million. The City of Winnipeg will set aside $10 million and $127.5 million over two years of funding in the 2014 and 2015 Capital Budget Forecasts, respectively, subject to funding commitments from the other two levels of government.

"I am committed to completing the second phase of bus rapid transit," said Mayor Sam Katz. "Rapid transit is another way to reduce traffic congestion on regional streets while giving our citizens improved transportation options. In a growing city like Winnipeg, we need a balanced approach, which includes funding for regional roads and for rapid transit."

The 2013 Capital Budget will also earmark a further $1.1 million to put towards design work of future rapid transit corridors, including the Eastern Rapid Transit Corridor, contingent upon matching partner funding from the Province of Manitoba.

"One of the concerns we've heard about previous Capital Budgets is that we have not formally allocated funds to continue the development of rapid transit in Winnipeg," said Deputy Mayor Russ Wyatt, Chair of the Standing Policy Committee on Finance. "We have heard those concerns and are addressing them today with our commitment to finishing what we've started."

"We are committed to improving the transportation infrastructure in our city," said Councillor Dan Vandal, Chair of the Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure and Public Works. "With the first phase of rapid transit complete, it's now time to demonstrate our commitment to completing the second phase of the Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor and to start the planning for the Eastern Rapid Transit Corridor."

Open houses were held in September for the public to review and provide feedback on the alignment options for Stage 2 of the Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor.

The Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor extension is part of the City of Winnipeg's Transportation Master Plan, a companion document to OurWinnipeg.

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