Steinbach Mayor and Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) president Chris Goertzen, along with Indigenous and Municipal Relations Minister Eileen Clarke, announced that the province is now accepting 2017 proposals through a single-window application intake for the Municipal Road and Bridge Program.
“Our government recognizes that investments in our roads, bridges and other transportation infrastructure can deliver long-term economic benefits and support the sustainable growth of Manitoba communities,” said Minister Clarke. “We’ll continue to build on our streamlined single-window application process for municipalities to deliver investments that are strategic and deliver value for taxpayer dollars.”
The Municipal Road and Bridge Program was developed in partnership with the AMM and includes two program components: the Municipal Road Improvement Program and the Municipal Bridge Program. Municipalities and Northern Affairs communities can submit applications for cost-shared funding for municipal road and bridge projects.
“The Municipal Road and Bridge Program is extremely important to Manitoba municipalities,” said Goertzen. “Simplified application process and input from the AMM during the selection process make this program tailored to local needs of our communities. The AMM continues to advocate for predictable and long-term municipal infrastructure investments, and a continued partnership with the provincial government on how this funding is allocated.”
In addition to the $747 million that Manitoba Infrastructure has budgeted for roads, highways, bridges and flood protection outside of Winnipeg for capital, maintenance and preservation of assets, the province is making an additional $14 million available directly to municipalities, the minister said, noting the program allows for up to 50 per cent cost-shared funding for municipal road and bridge renewal projects.
This funding will contribute to the renewal of strategic infrastructure in municipalities outside of Winnipeg, as will the Manitoba Water Services Board investments of $18.8 million, which increased by $2 million in Budget 2017, she added.
“This funding is part of a commitment in Budget 2017 to spend $1.7 billion on infrastructure across the province, which is amongst the largest total infrastructure expenditures in Manitoba history,” Clarke said.
More information on the 2017 Municipal Road and Bridge Program can be found online.
