$20 Million Infrastructure Stimulus Funding
to be spent on Winnipeg Multi Use trails and ‘On Road’ Cycling Infrastructure
Sept. 12, 2009 Ministers Steven Fletcher & Vic Toews, MP Rod Bruinooge and Councillor Scott Fielding
Infrastructure Stimulus Fund in Manitoba
Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the federal government has established a new $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund that provides funding to provincial, territorial and municipal construction-ready infrastructure rehabilitation projects. Funding is available for two years for projects that will be built during the 2009 and 2010 construction seasons. In the City of Winnipeg, more then $20 million will be spent on multi use trails and on road cycling infrastructure. Additional details of each of the projects can be found on the City of Winnipeg WEBSITE.
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The Winnipeg Trails Association along with partner organizations are involved in ongoing efforts to increase City and Provincial funding for Active Transportation. Public awareness of and demand for Active Transportation facilities and programming have has increased significantly in the last several years.
Since 2007, City of Winnipeg funding has increased from ~$200,000 /year to upwards of $3 Million / year PRIMARILY because of the lobbying efforts of the Winnipeg Trails Association and many partner organizations. Through extensive meetings and presentations, elected officials are realizing the countless social, environmental and economic benefits associated with Active Transportation. While the increase in Active Transportation funding is significant, it is no where near what is required to build a quality connected Active Transportation network in Winnipeg. Basic construction costs alone have doubled since 2006.
Construction costs of 1 Km of trail (3.5meter width) in 2008 averaged:
1 Km asphalt = $400,000
1 Km crushed limestone = $200,000
In 2007, the City of Winnipeg hired an Active Transportation Coordinator (Kevin Nixon) to focus solely on improving Active Transportation. The City also formed the Active Transportation Advisory Committee (ATAC) for the purpose of providing advice and recommendations on Active Transportation policies, programs, priorities, facilities and standards. The 2008 and 2009 Action Plans approved by the City (sidebar) reflect the forward movement on Active Transportation in Winnipeg.
ATAC Members (left to right):
Mayor’s Environmental Advisory Committee - Anders Swanson
Active Living Coordinator, Community Development Recreation Services Division, City of Winnipeg - Paul Skutnik
Pedestrian Representative, A member of the Prairie Pathfinders - Kathleen Leathers
Senior Transportation Planner, Planning Property & Development Department, City of Winnipeg - Susanne Dewey Povoledo
Physical Activity Coalition of Manitoba - Jan Schmalengerg
Bike to the Future - Gareth Simons
Acting/Senior Transportation Planner, Planning Property & Development Department, City of Winnipeg - Michelle Harms
Resource Conservation Manitoba - Beth McKechnie
Active Transportation Coordinator - Kevin Nixon
Winnipeg Trails Association - Janice Lukes
Missing:
Manitoba Cycling Association – Tim Woodcock
Park Strategic Planner, Planning Property and Development Department, City of Winnipeg - Donna Beaton
Streets Planning Engineer, Public Works Department, City of Winnipeg - Neil Myska
Transit Planner, Winnipeg Transit, City of Winnipeg - Bjorn Radstrom