Discussion on widening Kenaston will have to wait: mayor
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/09/2015 (3660 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Winnipeggers shouldn’t expect a speedy end to traffic congestion on Kenaston Boulevard now that it appears the dispute between several First Nations and Ottawa concerning the former Kapyong Barracks property is over.
Mayor Brian Bowman said he was pleased with Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s announcement Tuesday that Ottawa would not appeal a federal court ruling on the property but the mayor was quick to say he didn’t know how city hall can take advantage of the development.
“It’s obviously welcome news,” Bowman said. “Widening Kenaston is something we’d like to be able to move on.”
Widening of Kenaston was long considered to be the city’s top road infrastructure priority but in the spring council dropped the project on the priority list as the property remained tied up in the courts.
Council dedicated funds to the construction of the Waverley Underpass instead, which Ottawa and the province will also contribute funds.
The city is committed to funding several other projects with significant costs, including a replacement for the Arlington Bridge, continuation of the bus rapid transit corridors and upgrades to existing water and sewage treatment facilities.
Bowman would not say when city hall would move on widening Kenaston, adding he wants to see the outcome of further discussions between Ottawa and the First Nations.
Some First Nation leaders had suggested the Kapyong Barracks property should be turned over to them as compensation for outstanding treaty land entitlements.
While the First Nations successfully argued in court that they were never properly consulted on disposition of the property, it’s not certain the land will be turned over to the First Nations.
The First Nations had rejected a cash offer from Ottawa but are now considering a second offer in lieu of dropping claims to the property.
Bowman said city hall’s plans on widening Kenaston will have to wait for Ottawa and the First Nations to resolve their dispute.
“It’s Crown land and we’ll obviously await hearing what the process is and what they end up doing with the land,” he said. “We’ll be ready to provide comment once we have a better idea of where they are going with it.”’
Bowman said city officials have not been involved in the discussions between Ottawa and the First Nations.
aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca
