View From the Legislature

The list of projects on the to-do list for the City of Steinbach has been growing over the past decade as the needs of the city have grown. But over the past several years, many of these projects have been completed or are well on their way to being finished. These include the expansion of the Rest Haven Personal Care Home, a new dialysis unit, a new elementary school, an expansion to Bethesda Regional Health Centre, and the new South East Events Centre. Each of these recent projects have been very important to the region and their construction has brought with it both excitement and some disruption.

But in October of 2021 as I was joined by then Minister of Infrastructure Ron Schuler and Steinbach Mayor Earl Funk to make the announcement of a major redevelopment of the intersection of Provincial Highway 12 and Loewen Boulevard, I knew that this was a much-needed initiative that would test the patience of local drivers more than any previous project.

The construction, which is now underway, was delayed by a year as there were changes made to the project scope. Specifically, it was decided to convert the overhead hydro lines to underground lines which will eliminate the chance of vehicles colliding with poles at the intersection. This, along with other changes, have increased the cost of the project to just under $10 million.

The cost alone is an indication of just how significant this project is. It is expected to take two years to complete the construction and when done, it is intended to reduce traffic wait times but also to renew the underground infrastructure. It will add dedicated left-turn lanes for most directions of traffic and make improvements for pedestrians and those biking near the intersection. The underground infrastructure is not only being renewed but also upsized to improve the overall system capacities. As well, long time residents of the region will know that this intersection once had gas stations on either side of PTH 12 and soil remediation is budgeted for any contaminated soil that is discovered as part of the construction project.

When complete, this is an intersection that will better serve the needs of drivers and the increased volume of traffic that Steinbach is experiencing as a result of growth. But as this is a major project over an extended period of time, it is also sure to test the patience of drivers who want to see the improvements, but who will no doubt experience inconvenience. And as with most construction projects, nearby businesses can also feel the impact and they will require their customers to be extra vigilant to ensure they continue to give these businesses the support they need.

There will be significant traffic diversions during this time and to help drivers plan ahead, the City of Steinbach has committed to provide project updates and expected disruptions to traffic and services on its website. Local residents are encouraged to check back regularly to see if there is an alternative route you may wish to take at certain times during construction.

The growth of the City of Steinbach brings with it excitement and new facilities. But that growth also requires the renewal of infrastructure that can become a significant frustration as well. This is a major project, that will require major patience.