Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
$4.7 million targeted for active transportation
People who walk or cycle around Winnipeg won a small but significant victory in a city hall committee room today.
After hearing public delegations for the better part of four hours, members of the Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works committee voted to re-allocate $4.7 million in the city’s 2009 capital budget to cover projects associated with so-called active transportation.
Struck by public appeals that the city had only targeted $1.75 million for bike paths and other active transportation works - as opposed to $95 million for road and bridge construction - the committee agreed to add $4.25 million for active transportation projects, leaving it to administrators to decide how such funds should be distributed.
They also agreed to shift $250,000 from the $1.9 million set aside for land acquisition to pay for a study into building a pedestrian bridge across the Red River from the University of Manitoba into south St. Vital.
That project had the backing of St. Norbert Coun. Justin Swandel, the city’s finance committee chairman and budget architect.
Finally, the public works committee also agreed to spend an additonal $200,000 on sidewalk repairs.
The capital budget, released last week, had allocated $250,000 in 2009 to new sidewalks on major streets.
More challenges lie ahead however, for advocates of bike paths and pedestrian bridges.
The Executive Policy Committee, which reviews the capital budget next week, could still overturn today’s decision.
More Local
- Back to Top
- Return to Local
Most Popular Local
- Thieves strip $20K worth of copper wiring from gravel pit
- Cyclist killed on Higgins Avenue was passionate mentor, volunteer
- Pukatawagan RCMP looking for two dangerous suspects
- WWE's Jericho breaks code in Brazil
- Ex-Bomber sued for $4.8M
- Gang members get lengthy sentences for jailhouse beating
- Ex-Hydro boss slams closure
- Man hit before fatal blow, friend testifies
- Blue boxes to garden boxes?
- Every year 4,000 children reported missing in Manitoba
- Bear pulls camper from outhouse, before being shot
- Cyclist killed in collision on Higgins identified
- Cyclist killed on Higgins Avenue was passionate mentor, volunteer
- A SHED is not enough
- Football star's fatal punch probed at manslaughter trail
- Cyclist killed in Higgins Avenue crash
- Sex-scandal inquiry to be heard in city
- Winnipeg man recovering after campground bear attack
- Man hit before fatal blow, friend testifies
- Female cyclist dies on Higgins after falling into semi's path
- Boozy night out, lying cost city man big bucks
- Neighbours shaken by two deaths
- Rapid buses rattling homes
- Severe storm warning issued
- Teen hit by vehicle on Pembina
- Has Gimli gone to pot?
- Bear pulls camper from outhouse, before being shot
- Cyclist killed in collision on Higgins identified
- Triple whammy hits homes
- Cyclist killed on Higgins Avenue was passionate mentor, volunteer
- Ex-Hydro boss slams closure
- Cyclist killed on Higgins Avenue was passionate mentor, volunteer
- Ex-Bomber sued for $4.8M
- At 100, she's still winning friends and winning at bridge
- His life made our world a better place
- Band, council defy feds on aid
- Hydro headquarters named Canada's greenest office tower
- Teachers split on issue of human sexuality
- Diplomat saved thousands from Hitler
- Cummings steps out of reunion for sick mom
- Bear pulls camper from outhouse, before being shot
- Pooch paradise, where champion beagles run free
- His life made our world a better place
- Winnipeg man recovering after campground bear attack
- He was enjoying view, bear came out of blue
- Scientists lash Harper government for pulling plug on Experimental Lakes Area
- Diplomat saved thousands from Hitler
- Weeding out the chemicals
- U of W rejects copyright deal as 'money grab'
- Chemicals not par for the course
- Bear pulls camper from outhouse, before being shot
- Has Gimli gone to pot?
- Pooch paradise, where champion beagles run free
- His life made our world a better place
- Scientists lash Harper government for pulling plug on Experimental Lakes Area
- RRC's old gem a beauty
- Attack on hockey ref nets jail time
- Our Village is as good as it gets
- Judge faces second complaint
- Winnipeg man recovering after campground bear attack
Ads by Google









You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010; View the changes. New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.