Restoration of infrastructure continues in Manitoba

(PHOTO: MYSTICENERGY / E+ / GETTY IMAGES)

The Manitoba government says it continues to restore, repair, and rehabilitate infrastructure damaged during the spring 2022 flood event.

“Our government continues to focus on proactive measures to reduce future natural disaster impacts and increase the resiliency of our communities,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Doyle Piwniuk. “Critical investment in infrastructure protection will ensure our province is safeguarded from the potential damage of future weather events. Protecting Manitoba’s infrastructure is part of our government’s mitigation strategy, and we are committed to further advancing preparedness solutions to enable communities and all Manitobans to continue to thrive even after experiencing significant weather events.”

The minister noted that over $9 million in pre-emptive and response work related to the spring 2022 flood event has been completed, including $6.4 million for 16 projects in the Parkland region and an additional $45 million in capital infrastructure work tendered. Several consulting assignments have been awarded for culvert inspections, structure stabilization and replacements resulting in new construction projects for 2023, the minister added.

The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure estimates the recovery work to be completed as the result of the 2022 flood to be around $193.5 million, including $182 million in work that will be completed in the next three years.

Key projects underway include:

• $3.5 million for structure rehabilitation of the Bell River bridge on Provincial Trunk Highway 10 in the Rural Municipality of Mountain, including completed embankment reconstruction and river channel realignment.
• $3.5 million for structure replacement of Boundary Creek culverts through Prospect Road in Winnipeg Beach, which were removed to prevent upstream flooding. Construction is proposed for later this year.
• $2.4 million for structure replacement of the Silver Harbour Bridge on Reconciliation Road in the Rural Municipality of Gimli. A replacement bridge is expected to open in April, with approach roadworks completed later this summer.
• $3.5 million for structure replacement of Mary Jane Dam in the Rural Municipality of Pembina after the emergency spillway sustained significant erosion. The rehabilitation, designed for a one-in-100-year flood event, will be substantially completed by the end of March.

In addition to supporting municipalities in recovery through the Disaster Financial Assistance Program, municipalities can apply disaster financial assistance deductibles into an approved mitigation or preparedness project that builds resiliency against future events through the Mitigation and Preparedness Program MPP.

www.gov.mb.ca