Winnipeg, Manitoba, December 2, 2011
2011-127
Demonstrating that P3s offer cost and time savings, and leverage greater value for money
Winnipeg, Manitoba, December 2, 2011 – Residents of Winnipeg will have access to the Chief Peguis Trail Extension one year ahead of schedule thanks to a joint public-private partnership (P3) investment by the Government of Canada, the Government of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg. On behalf of Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, Lawrence Toet, Member of Parliament for Elmwood–Transcona, along with Rossmere MLA Erna Braun, on behalf of Manitoba Local Government Minister Ron Lemieux, and Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz, gathered today to officially open the extension to traffic.
“This is a great day for Winnipeg. The Chief Peguis Trail has been completed a year ahead of schedule and will begin to make our streets safer and the daily commute easier for residents,” said Mr. Toet. “This is an excellent example of what can be achieved when governments work with the private sector to deliver Canada’s public infrastructure needs.”
“Investing in roads and other key infrastructure is a top priority of our government,” said Ms. Braun. “Under our new revenue sharing formula that provides the equivalent of 1 per cent of the PST to municipalities, we are ensuring our investment in infrastructure and transit grows as the Manitoba economy grows.”
Last year, during a joint announcement held on July 12, 2010, with the Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg, Minister of Public Safety Vic Toews announced that the Government of Canada would contribute up to $25 million to support the extension of the Chief Peguis Trail in Winnipeg to relieve traffic pressure on residential streets. The remainder of the project’s construction costs will be financed by the City of Winnipeg ($26 million), the Province of Manitoba ($9 million) and DBF2 Ltd., the private consortium selected to design, build, finance and maintain the trail.
The new extension is just over 3.5 kilometres long and will serve approximately 23,000 vehicles every day.
“This extension is such a wonderful addition to this community and we are so pleased that it came to life earlier than anticipated for the thousands of motorists, cyclists and pedestrians who will benefit from it for many years to come,” said Mayor Sam Katz.
The project includes several key features, including:
- A new underpass structure at Rothesay Street which includes sidewalks on both sides and a multi-use pathway underneath.
- A 3.5-metre multi-use pathway adjacent to the extension to allow safe and efficient movement of cyclists and pedestrians and that connects to other existing trails.
- A new multi-use pedestrian overpass west of Gateway Road connecting the Chief Peguis multi-use pathway to the Northeast Pioneer Greenway Corridor.
“Construction of the Chief Peguis Trail has made significant progress and will be the first project to receive payment from the P3 Canada Fund, a great milestone for PPP Canada,” said Greg Melchin, Chair of PPP Canada Inc. “The Chief Peguis Trail project is an excellent example of how drawing on the expertise and innovation of the private sector can leverage greater value for public infrastructure dollars.”
For further information, media may contact:
Mary Ann Dewey-Plante
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Finance
613-996-7861
Jack Aubry
Media Relations
Department of Finance
613-996-8080
Tammy Melesko
City of Winnipeg
Corporate Communications
204-986-5726
Matt Williamson
Province of Manitoba
Cabinet Communications
204-945-1494
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