No. H113/06For release
September 22, 2006
WINNIPEG The Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Justice and Attorney General
of Canada, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities, the Honourable Kerri Irvin-Ross, Manitoba
Minister of Healthy Living, on behalf of Premier Gary Doer, together with
Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz today officially opened the Kenaston Boulevard underpass
in Winnipeg.
The cost of the construction, estimated at $48.1 million, will be shared by the
Government of Canada and the Province of Manitoba, each contributing $13
million, and the remainder will be provided by the city of Winnipeg.
"Canada's new government is getting things done by investing in roads and
underpasses for the City of Winnipeg," said Minister Toews. "The benefits of
this Kenaston underpass include less traffic, reduced pollution caused by
vehicle emissions, and improved safety."
"Long hold-ups for motorists as trains passed across Kenaston Boulevard have
been both a safety and convenience issue for decades," said Minister Irvin-Ross.
"Thanks to cooperation from all three levels of government they are now only an
unpleasant memory."
"Winnipeggers have made it very clear that addressing our infrastructure is a
top priority," said Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz. "The trains and the traffic
congestion that have long frustrated Winnipeggers have been addressed, and I'm
encouraged by the cooperation of all levels of government to deliver on this
positive solution today."
The construction of a grade separated underpass and improvements to associated
roadways are expected to help reduce vehicle emissions caused by delays at the
rail crossing. The project also included the construction of Sterling Lyon
Parkway and Lorimar Boulevard, and the upgrade of associated intersections.
The funding for this project came from the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund,
through which provincial, territorial and municipal governments, as well as the
private sector, work to respond to strategic infrastructure needs throughout the
country.
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Contacts:
Natalie Sarafian
Office of the Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities
Ottawa
613-991-0700
Graham Gork
Communication Services Manitoba
Winnipeg
204-945-5795
Linda Licari
Communications
Transports Canada
Ottawa
613-993-0055
Brad Salyn
Office of the Mayor
City of Winnipeg
204-986-4003
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at
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