Mayor all but assures new span for Disraeli

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This article was published 23/09/2009 (5890 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WINNIPEG – Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz has all but confirmed the city will build a brand-new bridge over the Red River as part of the Disraeli Freeway reconstruction project that will begin next year.

Katz told reporters this morning that the city is about to sign a memorandum of understanding with the province on a plan to ensure there is no traffic disruption during the 16-month reconstruction period.

The mayor refused to say whether that plan will involve building a brand-new bridge between Elmwood and Point Douglas or keeping two lanes of the existing bridge open.

But the mayor said he would prefer to see the build “a 75-year asset,” which is a clear indication he is talking about a brand-new bridge. A reconstruction project would have a lifespan of no more than 40 years.

The mayor also said he had no idea how much it would cost to keep two lanes open on the existing bridge, but has pegged the price of a new four-lane span at $200 million.

The existing Disraeli reconstruction plan, which will be formally replaced within weeks, has a $140 million budget and includes a separate bike-and-pedestrian bridge.

In related news, executive policy committee voted this morning to change the terms of the Disraeli project financing to allow the city to borrow up to $75 million from banks, rather than finance the entire project through a public-private partnership.

Mike Ruta, the city’s chief financial officer, has explained that governments can borrow money more cheaply and easily than private construction consortia can during tough economic times.