Greg Selinger said the New Democrats would fast-track an inner ring road and move rail lines out of Winnipeg should the party form government in April.
“We believe in Winnipeg’s future, and we know these strategic investments will continue to move the city forward,” Selinger said.
The plan for an inner ring road has been in the works for 50 years, with completion projected for 2031.
The NDP’s plan to speed the project would start with Chief Peguis Trail, with costs being shared with the federal government. Lagimodiere and Bishop Grandin boulevards and a widened Route 90 will also be integrated, the NDP said.
“The NDP has the strategic infrastructure plan and political will to bring our vision of a connected city to life,” Selinger said.
The project would be funded by the party’s $10 billion core infrastructure plan. Selinger said it will complement the party’s plan to relocate rail lines from communities, paving the way for new rapid transit lines and freeing up funds for the city to tend to local roads.
Selinger says the project would reduce truck traffic in Downtown Winnipeg and help Mayor Brian Bowman with his plan to open Portage and Main to pedestrians.
And he says the expansion would be cost shared between the province and Ottawa and wouldn't cost the city a dime.
Recent city numbers show the price tag could be as high as $400 million.
Selinger's vision also includes the widening of Kenaston Boulevard, building BRT across the city and relocating rail lines.
Selinger said he discussed the plans with Mayor Brian Bowman.
“(Bowman) thought it made sense. It was one of their priorities, and I’ve been very careful to make sure that when we put more money on the table, we consult and work out something that makes sense from their perspective,” Selinger said.
However, Bowman said this announcement doesn’t promise fair share or fair say for municipalities over infrastructure funds.
Earlier this month, Bowman and other Manitoba mayors and reeves called on party leaders to make the province’s growing infrastructure problem an election issue by reworking the current funding model.
“Obviously when you have another level of government contemplating working with another level of government to completely fund a project, we’re listening,” Bowman said.
“But I don’t believe though it’s a fair share, fair say announcement.”
Meanwhile, Bowman called the Progressive Conservatives’ plans to give municipalities a better say in how money is spent on infrastructure ‘significant’.
“We’ve seen from the Progressive Conservatives a very strong fair say announcement if implemented would help us realize greater value for the existing money that’s being spent in Winnipeg,” he said.
