MANITOBA INTRODUCES $4-BILLION HIGHWAY, BRIDGE RENEWAL PLAN

Manitoba’s commitment to invest $4 billion over 10 years in the renewal of roads and bridges across the province continues with the launch of the second five-year Highway Renewal Plan, Premier Greg Selinger announced today.

Budget 2011 invests over $520 million in Manitoba’s plan to upgrade roads and bridges across the province. This brings the five-year investment in transportation infrastructure revitalization to over $2.3 billion.

“Infrastructure investments are clearly a boost to our provincial economy, stimulating job growth and economic opportunities,” said Selinger. “Our government’s commitment to improving roads and bridges can be seen in every region of the province and will make a difference to the Manitobans who travel on them every day, connecting communities and families to one another.”

In 2007, Manitoba began a long-term, planning-based approach to increase investment in highway infrastructure with the first stage of Manitoba’s Highway Renewal Plan. Over the past four years, this more efficient and effective way of renewing roads and bridges across the province saw an almost $2‑billion investment in revitalizing 5,000 kilometres of road and 141 bridges and structures, said the premier, adding over 20,000 person-years of direct and indirect employment were created.

“CentrePort Canada Way, upgrades to the port at Emerson and an all-weather road along the east side of Lake Winnipeg are key to our vision of a prosperous future as we build Manitoba as a trade hub in North America,” said Selinger.

With the second stage of the Highway Renewal Plan, over 1,100 kilometres of highway will see improvements in 2011. In addition, a full inventory review of roads damaged during the flood of 2011 is underway and crews have begun to restore them to their pre-flood condition, Selinger said. It is estimated that damages to roads, bridges and structures will total over $40 million. A full damage assessment will not be finished until flood waters recede and the province will pursue disaster financial assistance to recoup the majority of costs.