Work will be beginning shortly to redevelop Saskatchewan Avenue West in Portage la Prairie.

This is all thanks to the Governments of Manitoba and Canada, who are contributing more than $76M for infrastructure projects across the province to help stimulate the economy after the pandemic.

In Portage, funds were given to upgrade approximately 1.5 km of Saskatchewan Avenue West, from 4th Street W to Elm Street. The provincial government is chipping in over $8M, while the Feds will provide $12.5M. City manager Nathan Peto outlines what this means for the city.

"I think you'll see a consistency from what you see in the downtown in terms of the medians, landscape features on those meetings, turning lanes, and also upgrades to what you see for pedestrian and bicycle traffic, and you're going to see more dedicated lanes for those that are consistent through the whole stretch from 4th Street all the way to Elm Street."

The Government of Canada is investing over $48.9 million in these 17 projects under the Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. For projects requiring consultations with Indigenous groups, including the project in Portage, federal funding is conditional on consultation requirements being met. The Government of Manitoba is also contributing more than $27.7 million to these projects. Peto says this has been a top strategic priority for the city.

"Before we even knew that we would necessarily be eligible for this funding, council went ahead and did some preliminary design, got estimates to have this project shovel ready, so it is an aggressive timeline, but I think that's because council wants to get this done and they've seen this project talked about for several decades, and it's a major priority, and they're going to get it done as quickly as possible."

The first phase of the project focuses on the renewal of wastewater and sewer lines from Saskatchewan Ave W, from 4th Street W to Elm Street, which are nearly 50 years old. Other upgrades include improved esthetics and architecture, a four-lane divided road, bike lanes, turning lanes, and sidewalks. Peto says this is a major project for the city.

"We need people to be patient with us, but I think when you see the finished project, there's going to be a big departure from the gravel shoulders, you know, often inconsistent planned drainage with puddles and mud along the side. Now you're going to have upgraded drainage. Very professional-looking curbing medians, and dedicated transportation lanes. I think it's going to be a really nice-looking project."

The governmental funding will go toward various projects such as road renewals and upgrades, bridge replacements, airport runway rehabilitation, and flood prevention infrastructure. The current timeline of the Portage la Prairie project has the construction wrapping up in 2024.