MTA welcomes infrastructure spending, demands more

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WINNIPEG, Man. — The Manitoba Trucking Association (MTA) says it’s encouraged by the province’s announcement that it will focus on bridges and roads for funding in 2013.

However, the association adds there’s lots of room for growth.

The province announced it will fund projects, including repairs to Hwy. 6 and upgrades to Hwy. 16, which were recommended for repairs by the MTA. However, the association was quick to add more extensive work is required.

“We have been telling governments for years that an increasing and serous infrastructure deficit has been created and will only continue to get worse unless it is properly addressed. While we are obviously pleased that the government is focusing its efforts on roads and bridges, the reality is that much of the work is simply rehabilitation projects on items that have been left to deteriorate for far too long,” said MTA executive director Bob Dolyniuk. 

“Rather than being able to spend time and money on new projects, a significant number of the projects, especially bridges, are requirements simply to bring infrastructure up to an acceptable standard. For example, two overpasses on the Perimeter Highway are scheduled for significant rehabilitation work. Haven’t these structures been properly maintained over the last number of decades? Instead, significant portions of this province’s infrastructure dollars are spent on repairs because the structures weren’t maintained appropriately during the life of the structures. While this government’s 10-year commitment to infrastructure is commendable, due to the significant infrastructure deficit that exists, we aren’t making any progress in this province; we are barely treading water when it comes to infrastructure.”

The MTA would like to see the north Perimeter Highway intersection at Hwy. 59 completed, improvements made to Hwy. 6 and the resurfacing of Hwy. 59.

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