Doer: Fund a 6-Lane Twinned Disraeli
East Kildonan-Transcona Community Committee Unanimously Calls
on Doer to Fund a Twinned 6-Lane Disraeli Bridge and Overpass
Last night at the East Kildonan-Transcona Community Committee, Councillor Jeff Browaty (North Kildonan) introduced a motion calling on Premier Gary Doer to immediately make the Disraeli Bridge and Overpass a priority and contribute the necessary funding to construct a twinned 6-lane structure. The motion passed unanimously with the support of Councillor Lillian Thomas (East Kildonan-Elmwood) and Councillor Russ Wyatt (Transcona).
“The deck of the Disraeli needs to be replaced,” Browaty explained. “We need to plan for the future and construct a second span, producing a 6-lane structure to facilitate future road works, increases in traffic, and potential bus rapid transit lanes.”
At recent public open houses, the Winnipeg Public Service presented three concepts for a new deck with four lanes of traffic and various configurations of sidewalks and biking shoulders. The presented concepts were estimated to cost between $125 million and $160 million and require the entire structure to be closed for approximately 16 months. A second span would allow the current span to remain open during construction. It is estimated a twinned structure would cost $250 million to $350 million.
Northeast Winnipeg and the surrounding capital region continues to grow,” Browaty added. “The Doer government collects approximately $130 million of gasoline and diesel tax in the City of Winnipeg, but only gives back approximately $59.6 million for our roads.”
If a second span isn’t constructed, it is expected that replacing the deck on the will require the entire structure to be closed to traffic for approximately 16 months. Many other major bridges in the city, including the Sherbrook/Maryland Bridge, Chief Peguis Trail/Kildonan Settlers Bridge, Charleswood Parkway, and the Bishop Grandin Bridge consist of twinned structures that can remain partially opened during construction.
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WHEREAS the proposed Disraeli Bridge and Overpass Rehabilitation Project is costing the City of Winnipeg and its taxpayers $125 million to $160 million depending on the option chosen by Council;
AND WHEREAS none of the options present the opportunity for a twin 6-lane bridge system;
AND WHEREAS it is estimated that the cost of a twin 6-lane bridge option could be constructed for $250 million to $350 million;
AND WHEREAS the advantage of a twin 6-lane bridge would allow for future growth in the City and surrounding Capital Region;
AND WHEREAS a twin 6-lane bridge option could also accommodate two dedicated lanes for bus rapid transit;
AND WHEREAS thus far the entire cost of this proposed Disraeli Bridge and Overpass Rehabilitation Project is being borne by the taxpayers of Winnipeg and more specifically without any substantial contribution from the Doer Government;
AND WHEREAS Winnipeg continues to receive less than its per capita portion of gas tax revenues and has very little support for major regional roads, as other Manitoba jurisdictions receive;
AND WHEREAS the Province shares in the responsibility for managing the growth and development of the Capital Region, as well as having declared Rapid Transit a priority in the recently published climate change document —the Province should pay an equal if not greater role in the rehabilitation of the Disraeli Bridge and Overpass;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the East Kildonan-Transcona Community Committee calls on Premier Doer to immediately make the Rehabilitation of the Disraeli Bridge and Overpass a priority and contribute the necessary funding to facilitate a twin 6-lane bridge system.
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