Manitoba pledges $15M to repair roads
Posted May 9, 2022 12:28 pm.
Last Updated May 10, 2022 9:34 am.
To help address the province’s pothole perils, the Manitoba government is committing $15 million to help municipalities fund road repairs.
Premier Heather Stefanson announcing today the grant will support road reconstruction, rehabilitation and preservation in what has been a particularly challenging year.
“Above-average precipitation and colder-than-average temperatures have caused a substantial increase in the number and severity of potholes on roads throughout the province, and inflation and supply chain issues have also added to this challenge. In addition to our Budget 2022 investments in highways and municipalities, we are pleased to offer this extra support to reduce the financial burden on the City of Winnipeg and all municipalities during these unique times.” said Stefanson.
The province will distribute the $15 million to 137 municipalities on a per-capita basis, with the City of Winnipeg to receive nearly $9 million of the total.
Mayor Brian Bowman echoing the Premier’s sentiments noting that both the weather and the pandemic have put additional stress on the city’s operating budget.
“After one of the snowiest winters on record and a freeze/thaw cycle that is finally letting up in May, Winnipeggers are now facing a pothole season like no other,” said Mayor Brian Bowman, City of Winnipeg.
“With a forecasted shortfall of over $56 million in the City of Winnipeg budget as a result of pandemic impacts, this is a welcome funding announcement from the Province of Manitoba to help with the pothole issues being felt across the province. This funding would build on another historic road construction season in Winnipeg of $164.7 million.”
The funding will be in addition to any disaster assistance municipalities could receive due to excessive flooding. Full details of this grant will be made available to municipalities in the coming weeks.
