Province commits half of $1.4M cost for next phase of Chief Peguis Trail extension plan

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This article was published 08/06/2023 (863 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

After several decades of debate, a road mega-project has attracted some provincial support.

On Thursday, Premier Heather Stefanson announced the province will provide $700,000 to help fund a feasibility study on the Chief Peguis Trail extension.

“The Chief Peguis Trail expansion is (a) great example of a key transportation corridor that supports economic development and community viability,” said Stefanson.

The money will cover about half the cost to complete the study, which the City of Winnipeg previously promised.

The study will produce a business case to determine if the project is worth its potential cost. It will also provide an updated estimate of what that cost would be, which the most recent preliminary estimate pegged at $598 million.

Mayor Scott Gillingham said the province’s show of support offers hope the construction of Chief Peguis Trail from Main Street to Route 90 is finally on the way after decades of debate. City documents show it was discussed by the Rural Municipality of North Kildonan as early as 1963, said Gillingham, predating the 1972 Unicity amalgamation of 12 municipalities into Winnipeg.

“(Since) 60 years ago, councillors have been talking about this project,” he said, noting the city began assembling land to support it in the early 1970s.

Gillingham said he also heard plenty of support for the extension during his mayoral campaign.

“We know that people in northwest Winnipeg, in fact in all of north Winnipeg, have been waiting a long time for this extension to be prioritized and to be built. It will give them easier access to places like the airport, major employment areas and community facilities like Kildonan Park and, second, it will improve safety and the quality of life by getting heavy trucks off of, and away from, residential neighbourhoods in the northwest part of Winnipeg,” he said.

The mayor said the construction should also support growth in CentrePort, better connect land for new housing and add 10 kilometres of new active-transportation pathways. He said the city will also consider a “major” Winnipeg Transit park-and-ride facility in the area to serve Winnipeggers, as well as folks who live in Selkirk and other nearby communities who commute to work in Winnipeg.

“By working together, we’ll take the next steps to move this project forward and to finally complete the 60-year vision for this (project),” said Gillingham.

Opponents have lobbied the city not to invest in the extension, or other mega-projects like it, arguing it conflicts with greenhouse gas-emissions reduction goals.

However, political leaders at the announcement said consultation indicates there is plenty of support for the project.

“I think these are very important projects for people, not just in this area of the city but for all of the city and all of Manitoba…. They’ve been around and discussed for decades and I think it’s important that we’re here today, moving forward,” said Stefanson.

Gillingham said the city expects updated cost estimates for the Chief Peguis Trail extension, as well as a widening and overall update of Kenaston Boulevard, will be completed by the end of this year.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga