Leadership needed on Louise Bridge project
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 19/10/2022 (226 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
The $6.35 million street upgrade of Nairn Avenue from Watt Street to the 111-year-old Louise Bridge is almost complete. This summer’s construction upgradeis a welcome improvement for northeast Winnipeg commuters.
The Nairn upgrade was funded by the $300-million Accelerated Regional Street Renewal Program, an important infrastructure program of all three levels of government. The $350,000 water main renewal portion was paid entirely by the City of Winnipeg. It’s one of Winnipeg’s 200 street construction projects this year.
The street renewal program helps address just one part of the city’s massive infrastructure deficit, which includes sidewalks, water treatment, separating our water and sewer systems, removing lead pipes from our homes, bike paths, and, of course, old bridges, including the 111-year-old functionally obsolete Louise Bridge, which was built the same year as the OK Corral gunfight.
Supplied photo
Elmwood MLA Jim Maloway and Elmwood-East Kildonan city councillor Jason Schreyer pictured at the Louise Bridge.
Elmwood residents know the Louise Bridge needs to be replaced immediately.
The city was originally scheduled to make a final decisions on its overall master plan and eastern corridor project this fall, and deal with the Louise Bridge Replacement issue.
With time running out on the bridge, and a new city council incoming, we will again be calling on the premier and the provincial government to take leadership on Louise Bridge replacement to help the city get it built.
The recommended three-lane bridge in each direction will maintain and enhance the link for everyone in northeast Winnipeg and Transcona, and importantly, meet the future needs of our quadrant. With the expropriation process begun, city planners have done their part by signaling to the city administration they need to act quickly.
A key element to the entire project will be to keep the old bridge open during the entire construction period. The clock is ticking. And the rovince needs to take a leadership position on getting the Louise Bridge finally built.
For more information, please call my office at 204-415-1122 or email me at jim.maloway@yourmanitoba.ca