Coalition urges pause on Kenaston, Chief Peguis projects

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2023/05/26/coalition-urges-pause-on-kenaston-chief-peguis-projects

THE City of Winnipeg should pause any new spending on two major road projects expected to cost a combined $1 billion, until it determines if they are worth their financial and environmental price, according to a sustainable transportation advocate.

On Friday, the Transportation and Land Use Coalition urged city council to avoid committing funds to widen Route 90 (Kenaston Boulevard) and extend Chief Peguis Trail, aside from money needed to complete a cost-benefit analysis and environmental assessment of each project.

“We just want to be sure that no money is spent in the upcoming budget until that (analysis and environmental review) is received and assessed,” said Mel Marginet, co-chair of the organization.

Marginet accused city council of rushing the approval process by listing the two projects within its strategic priorities action plan, which is expected to help guide the city’s 2024-27 multi-year budget.

The coalition fears the city could lose money on the projects and the developments could undermine the municipal government’s efforts to combat climate change.

“It’s going to induce the continued reliance on personal vehicles within our transportation system… The bike routes that are included as part of the Kenaston project… are very inadequate and it’s unrealistic to expect that the cycling trips that they will generate will in any way mitigate the induced demand for personal vehicles,” said Marginet.

The group also claims the projects are unrealistic, since the federal government already rejected at least one application to help fund the Kenaston work.

The city confirmed the senior government declined a request to fund Route 90 improvements in 2017, though the design was different at the time.

The Chief Peguis Trail extension would extend from Main Street to Brookside Boulevard, pending council approval and funding. The Kenaston proposal would widen the boulevard to offer three lanes in each direction between Ness and Taylor avenues, while adding transportation paths on both sides.

The city is now seeking public feedback on the latest Kenaston design.

That project has also drawn complaints from some area residents.

Carol Styles said she’s concerned about a lack of information on how the city will assist folks whose homes are removed to create room for the project and those who will be left to live next to a major construction zone.

“What is the plan for the people that they’re expropriating and the people they’re leaving behind? There’s… little talk about noise mitigation during the construction, as well as afterwards,” said Styles.

While she agrees the road is in desperate need of repair, Styles said some residents have been hesitant to make home improvements since they still aren’t sure when the long-discussed widening project will happen.

“Having lived through the process for 15 years and three iterations of these community engagement sessions, as they call them, (my concern) is really about the process… People want to know (what’s happening). Make a decision, let’s do it or not do it.”

When asked if the provincial government now expects to fund the two projects, Manitoba Municipal Relations Minister Andrew Smith repeatedly said: “Stay tuned.”

Winnipeg MP Dan Vandal, federal minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, called both projects “very important,” but stressed it’s up to the city to set its own infrastructure priorities.

Coun. John Orlikow said the city has conducted extensive consultation on the Kenaston project, and is continuing to seek feedback. However, he agreed it should commit to a clear plan forward soon.

“Unfortunately, there are some homes that need to be expropriated… but these people have been living in limbo for the last 15 years… So, it really is time to move this project forward, one way or another.”

Orlikow noted the Kenaston project would also improve a sometimes “dangerous” St. James Bridge, crumbling roads and Transit access, while sewer repairs incorporated into the road work would help reduce combined sewer overflows.

“The value isn’t just (for) the road, it’s many, many layers,” he said.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga