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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Province 'playing politics' with works funding: Katz
Says key projects shouldn't have to compete with rapid transit
With a train holding up traffic on Plessis Road in the background, Winnipeg's mayor held a press conference Friday to demand the province stop "playing politics" and support city council-approved infrastructure projects like an underpass at the CN crossing.
"It's time to do the right thing and stop playing politics," Mayor Sam Katz said.
City council in April endorsed its priority list of projects for intergovernmental funding through the Building Canada Fund. It's still waiting for the dough as the province balks at the city's decision Wednesday to pursue a light-rail network rather than continue with the bus rapid-transit plan, Katz suggested.
"It's time to do what's right. Another construction season's going by," said Katz, who pushed for a light-rail network for Winnipeg. On Friday, Katz accused the province of playing politics for not supporting Winnipeg's wish list of projects for the Building Canada Fund -- including the twinning of Plessis and an underpass.
The improvement of roads and community centres shouldn't have to compete with rapid transit for federal and provincial funds, he said.
On Friday, Minister of Local Government Ron Lemieux sent a letter to the mayor saying the province wants to co-operate with the city on the development of rapid transit. It suggested provincial transportation officials take part in the city's analysis of its light-rail strategy.
"We think that a co-operative approach will be helpful to moving forward," the letter said.
The province has committed $65 million of the Building Canada Fund to rapid transit for the outcome of the city's review of the plan, it said.
A spokesman for Lemieux said the government is open to a number of infrastructure projects including Plessis Road, and is already funding some of the items on the city's priority list.
At Katz's press conference in Transcona, Coun. Russ Wyatt said twinning Plessis Road and an underpass at the CN rail line are long overdue.
"This link is crucial to industrial and economic growth." Twelve trains a day travel on the line, crossing paths with hundreds of trucks in the area that's home to the CNR intermodal terminal and industries including bus-maker New Flyer, Wyatt said.
Transcona needs safer, more efficient access to CentrePort, Canada's first foreign trade zone being developed near Winnipeg's airport, he said.
Wyatt, who once championed the bus rapid-transit plan, said it's time to focus on the city's reported $7.4-billion infrastructure deficit.
"Now it's time for bridges and roads that need to be fixed and repaired. We need that balance."
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 24, 2010 B2
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