City announces start of Winnipeg’s ‘second season’ with road construction underway

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It’s been said that there are two seasons in Winnipeg: winter and road reconstruction. That second season officially started Monday with $138.3 million in road projects.

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“Road construction is a topic that sparks many conversations in our city and for good reason,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham, speaking at a press conference on Inkster Boulevard, one of five major routes set for renewal and rehabilitation over the next two years. “Our roads, bridges, (and) active transportation infrastructure are critical to keeping Winnipeggers moving efficiently no matter their mode of transportation. The work our dedicated staff undertake each summer is really nothing short of remarkable. In just a few short months, they manage to complete tens of millions of dollars worth of projects from major road reconstructions and rehabilitations to building bike lanes and repairing sidewalks.”

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Some $138.3 million has been budgeted for improvements to local and regional streets in 2024, with a number of these projects including active transportation improvements. An additional $7.2 million is dedicated solely to new active transportation infrastructure.

Work will be done on nearly 150 lane kilometres of road, bridge and active transportation infrastructure over the coming months. Nearly all scheduled projects have been tendered and either have already started or will start very shortly, the City said in a press release.

Last year, City crews completed over 200 road construction projects in the city, said Gillingham. “Thanks to these efforts, we all benefit with smoother roads, safer roads and better active transportation pathways,” he added.

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As well, crews have patched over 80,000 potholes this year with more being patched.

“But we know that these are just temporary fixes and so we know that the work we are announcing today will provide permanent improvements along our road network,” said Gillingham, who said he recently spent an afternoon with a pothole patching crew.

Gillingham asked Winnipeggers to be patient if they find themselves stuck in traffic due to one of these projects.

“I urge everyone to please plan ahead, to drive safely, be mindful that crews are working, and be patient as we make these vital improvements that make a long-term difference to improve our roads and active transportation pathways,” said Gillingham. “In the end, these projects will lead to better roads, safer pathways, enhanced mobility throughout our city for years to come.”

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Among the key projects this year include $13 million on the St. Vital Bridge, rehabilitation of the Pembina Highway Bridges over the La Salle River, the construction of a new bridge on Creek Bend Road over the Seine River and continuing repairs on the Main/Norwood bridges. Major routes due for work include Inkster and Abinojii Mikanah, as well as sections of Grant Avenue and Taylor Avenue, McGregor Street and Partridge Avenue, and Dugald Road and Plessis Road.

This year will also see an influx of active transportation infrastructure constructed around the city including eight new neighbourhood greenways, installing several separated bike lanes and extending multi-use paths across the city.

gdawkins@postmedia.com

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X: @SunGlenDawkins

Road work

The Regional and Local Street Renewal program includes work on the following major routes: Inkster Boulevard from Sheppard Street to Main Street, a two-year, $16.77-million project; Abinojii Mikanah, St. Anne’s Road to River Road, two-year, $12.7-million project; sections of Grant Avenue and Taylor Avenue, one-year, $5.845-million project; sections of McGregor Street and Partridge Avenue, one-year, $10.48-million project; and sections of Dugald Road and Plessis Road, two-year, $16.87-million project.

Active transportation infrastructure improvements include:

– New separated bike lanes on: Panet Road (Talbot Avenue to Reenders Drive); and Day Street (Pandora Avenue to Ravelston Avenue West).

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– Extensions of existing multiuse paths on: Keewatin Street (Burrows Avenue to Gallagher Avenue); and Taylor Avenue (Lindsay Street to Joe Malone Park).

– New neighbourhood greenways on: Egerton Road (between Morier Avenue and the southern terminus); Alexander Avenue (Arlington Street to Princess Street); Youville Street (Marion Street to Haig Avenue); Ruby Street / Banning Street (Palmerston Avenue to Notre Dame Avenue); Linwood Street (Portage Avenue to Silver Avenue); Harbison Avenue West (Henderson Highway to the eastern terminus); Scotia Street (Armstrong Avenue to Cathedral Avenue); and Wolseley Avenue (Raglan Road to Maryland Street).

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