Disraeli bridge project could cost $200M, mayor says

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This article was published 22/09/2009 (5890 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

REVAMPING the Disraeli bridge project to keep it open during reconstruction could cost as much as $200 million, Mayor Sam Katz said Monday.

"It’s not a matter of what we need, it’s a matter of how we accomplish any of the alternatives that are on the table, and I’m sure you can appreciate they all require one important ingredient — money," Katz said Monday.

"An entirely new bridge with four lanes as well as active transportation? The number is probably somewhere around the $200-million mark," Katz said.

The city had originally said the bridge replacement would cost about $140 million, but when residents in the northeast part of Winnipeg complained that construction would close the bridge for about 16 months, the city started looking at alternatives to allow traffic to and from Elmwood and North Kildonan to flow during construction.

Katz and Premier Gary Doer are to discuss the bridge project this week. A final decision should be made by early October.

Katz would not comment on whether the extra cost to replace with bridge would come from the province, which has yet to dedicate any money towards the bridge. "Right now we’re looking at all the opportunities that exist to resolve the issue of a 16-month delay…."

Last week, civic officials said the city is no longer looking at paying for the entire rehabilitation through a public-private partnership.

Katz’s executive policy committee is considering borrowing $75 million for the project, as the year-long recession has allowed the city to borrow money at a much cheaper rate than any private construction consortium could.

Ottawa is not interested in funding the bridge repairs or reconstruction, and the city has not put the bridge on its wish list for federal funds.

Elmwood MP Jim Maloway has said the city and province are leaning towards building a new four-lane span just east of the existing bridge.

Katz made it clear he wasn’t happy the area’s former MLA was speaking publicly about what behind-the-scenes talks.

"I find it really strange that an individual who’s made absolutely zero contribution to addressing the problem took it unto himself to call the media and make certain comments," Katz said.

Premier Gary Doer said Monday some of the extra money to pay for the redevelopment, and keep the bridge open during construction, will come from the province.

 

bruce.owen@freepress.mb.ca