Doer flip-flops on Kenaston street project
Winnipeg Free Press
Saturday May 24 2003
By Mia Rabson
PREMIER Gary Doer committed his government to building the Kenaston underpass yesterday, laying down what could be a trump card in an election that appears to be already leaning the NDP's way.
Doer literally invited the media to ask him about the Kenaston underpass minutes after announcing a promise to help build 12,000 new homes in south Fort Garry. He then said the province is on board for the multimillion-dollar underpass project.
"We are committed to our share," the premier said. "The remainder of federal-provincial-municipal infrastructure money that's available will be dedicated to that project."
The underpass would be built to alleviate chronic traffic bottlenecks at the rail crossing near the intersection of Kenaston Boulevard and Wilkes Avenue. Nearly 30,000 vehicles go through the intersection during peak hours each day, and rail traffic brings traffic there to a halt up to 18 times daily.
The city committed $4.2 million in its capital budget this year for the underpass, but the project hinged on provincial and federal support.
Yesterday, Doer said the remaining $3 million in the $180-million urban infrastructure agreement signed by Winnipeg, Manitoba and Ottawa will be the first installment for the underpass, and that future money can come from a new city-province infrastructure deal, which he says is worth about $100 million. Doer said funding for the underpass would come equally from the three levels of government.
The project's price tag, which includes the cost of tunnelling under the railway tracks and rerouting part of Wilkes Avenue, is currently $39 million, but Doer said the city is looking at a scaled-down version that would work just as well. He said the specifics of that version aren't available yet. The CN intermodal terminal adjacent to the crossing is being moved to Transcona.
Doer had initially refused to build the underpass, saying it wasn't a priority for his government. He wanted to use the money to boost downtown first, projects such as the new arena and development of Waterfront Drive.
"We only have a set amount of (infrastructure agreement) money," Doer said in 2001. "The Kenaston project was the largest amount of money for a single project and we didn't think it was the best use of limited funds."
A vocal campaign, led in part by several city councillors, Tory MLA for Whyte Ridge John Loewen and Liberal MP Reg Alcock, was created to challenge Doer's decision, and for a while signs were posted at the intersection telling drivers angry at waiting for a train to call Doer's office, and giving them the number.
Doer said the main reason for deciding to go ahead now is that with 12,000 new homes going into south Fort Garry, it will add to the already enormous traffic jams on Kenaston. Construction of the new homes, mainly on land west of Waverley Street and south of Bishop Grandin Boulevard, should begin as early as next year, Doer said.
The lots will be developed over the next 10 years.
The new homes will grow the city's tax base, he said, which will help drive property taxes down.
As well, the premier said, an NDP government will use some of the proceeds of the development to help build infill housing in Winnipeg's inner city.
mia.rabson@freepress.mb.ca