More lanes?

Say it with me now, “Induced Demand!”

This is the best summary I could come up with:

The reconstruction of Route 90 will cost the City of Winnipeg $737 million in construction and interest charges, according to a new preliminary design for a project that involves widening Kenaston Boulevard, rebuilding the St. James bridges over the Assiniboine River and replacing combined sewers along the corridor.

The city would also incur interest charges of $151 million if it borrows money to conduct the work on its own, without help from other levels of government, Neirinck stated.

Mayor Scott Gillingham, who campaigned for office in 2022 on a promise to widen Kenaston Boulevard, said he hopes the province helps the city cover the cost.

Neirinck’s report also extols the long-term fiscal benefits of the project, noting the combined sewer replacements and bridge reconstructions must be completed even if Kenaston Boulevard is not widened.

Matt Allard, who has criticized the Route 90 project in the past, said he wonders what else Winnipeg could build with more than half a billion dollars.

Brian Mayes, who sits alongside Gillingham on council’s executive policy committee, criticized the Route 90 report for its environmental claims.

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