LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA
Wednesday, October 14, 2021
Petitions
Louise Bridge
Mr. Jim Maloway (Elmwood): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly.
The background of this petition is as follows:
(1) Over 25,000 vehicles per day cross the Louise Bridge, which has served as a vital link for vehicular traffic between northeast Winnipeg and the downtown for the last 110 years.
(2) The current structure will undoubtedly be declared unsafe in a few years as it has deteriorated extensively, becoming functionally obsolete, subject to more frequent unplanned repairs and cannot be widened to accommodate future traffic capacity.
(3) As far back as 2008, the City of Winnipeg city has studied where the new replacement bridge should be situated.
(4) After including the bridge replacement in the City’s five-year capital budget forecast in 2009, the new bridge became a short-term construction priority in the City’s transportation master plan of 2011.
(5) City capital and budget plans identified replacement of the Louise Bridge on a site just east of the bridge and expropriated homes there on the south side of Nairn in anticipation of a 2015 start.
(6) In 2014, the new City administration did not make use of available federal infrastructure funds, and instead decided to fund an off-the-list, low-priority Waverley Underpass.
(7) The new Louise Bridge Committee began its campaign to demand a new bridge, and its surveys confirmed residents wanted a new bridge beside the current bridge, with the old bridge open–kept open for local traffic.
(8) The NDP provincial government signed its firm commitment–signalled its firm commitment to partner with the City on replacing the Louise Bridge in its 2015 Throne Speech. Unfortunately, provincial infrastructure initiatives, such as the new Louise Bridge, came to a halt with the election of the Progressive Conservative government in 2016.
(9) More recently, the City tethered the Louise Bridge replacement issue to its new transportation master plan and eastern corridor project. Its recommendations have now identified the location of the new Louise Bridge to be placed just to the west of the current bridge, not to the east as originally proposed. The city expropriation process has begun.
We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:
(1) To urge the provincial government to financially assist the City of Winnipeg on building this three-lane bridge in each direction to maintain this vital link between northeast Winnipeg and the downtown.
(2) To urge the provincial government to recommend that the City of Winnipeg keep the old bridge fully open to traffic while the new bridge is under construction and consider the feasibility of keeping it open for active transportation in the future.
(3) To urge the provincial government to financially assist the City of Winnipeg in keeping the old bridge open for active transportation.
And this petition has been signed by many, many Manitobans.
Friday, Nov. 5, 2021 Canstar Herald Article on the Louise Bridge Replacement Issue.
Thursday, Nov. 4th & Wednesday, Nov 9th at University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA) picket lines: Fighting for a Fair Deal.
Visiting the picket lines at the University of Manitoba campuses. Top right: U of M – Bannatyne Campus, Nov 4th, with striking members of the University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA). Bottom Picture: At U of M – Main Campus, Nov. 9th, with Councillor Jason Schreyer (3rd from left) and UMFA members at the University of Manitoba.
We need a government that strengthens our universities, not interferes with them. The PCs need to end Pallister’s wage freeze mandates and allow free and fair negotiations so students can finish their education and we can recruit and retrain staff.
News Stories:
https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/advocates-promote-need-for-new-louise-bridge-1.5635856
Jim Maloway Elmwood MLA Reports on the Louise Bridge Replacement Issue:
Friday, October 22, 2021 : https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/herald/correspondent/New-Louise-Bridge-update–so-far-so-good-575585251.html
Monday, September 27, 2021: https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/herald/correspondent/The-Louise—a-troubled-bridge-over-waters-575388001.html
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Tuesday, April 13, 2021
Private Members’ Statement – Catalytic Converter Thefts
Wednesday, March 17, 2021
Private Members’ Statements – Right-to-Repair Laws
Elmwood residents’ comments added.
Elmwood residents’ comments added.