The City of Thompson has plans to redo nearly 20 kilometres of its roads over the next five years, largely through federal and provincial funding announced July 26.
Thompson is receiving $20 million from the federal government and $13,332,000 from the provincial government for road renewal under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP). All or part of 24 city roads will be renewed with that funding and a $6,668,000 contribution from Thompson.
“Council and administration have been working for three years to achieve this funding,” said Mayor Colleen Smook in a July 26 news release from the city. “We can’t understate what a massive investment this is: this is equal to a year’s worth of the city’s budget, dedicated exclusively to road work. Thompson is bigger than the people who live here: we are the Hub of the North, and people from across the region rely on our infrastructure year-round. This massive investment, from federal and provincial governments, recognizes our critical role in the north. We’re still working hard behind the scenes, and this is just the start of more good things coming for the city.”
Roads to be redone include Thompson Drive, Princeton Drive in Eastwood and Deerwood Drive, Caribou Road, Lynx Crescent, Beaver Crescent, Elk Bay and Fox Bay in Deerwood as well as Hayes Road and Seal Road in the industrial area. Other roads scheduled to be renewed include Nelson Road, Public Lane and Station Road, along with Nickel Road, Riverside Drive and Silver Street in Riverside, as well as Mallard Crescent, Pintail Crescent, Westwood Drive and Sandpiper Crescent in Westwood. Coral Crescent and Wolf Street in the Burntwood area and Juniper Drive and Spruce Road in Juniper are also on the list of roads to be improved.
“Rural and northern communities are an integral part of our country, and they have been impacted by COVID-19 in unprecedented ways,’ said federal Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal in a press release announsig the funding. “Together with the province, municipalities, and project funding recipients, we're building back better and providing residents with a safe and upgraded transportation network. Thanks to federal funding of over $48.9 million, the 17 projects we're announcing today will create jobs, improve road safety, and ensure long-term sustainable infrastructure while building strong and well-connected communities.”
The roads being redone in Thompson represent about one-fifth of the city’s total road network. $3,449,258 in federal funding was also announced July 26 for the paving of about seven kilometres of roads in Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation.
“Manitobans depend on transportation infrastructure to help move goods efficiently to market and to get people where they need to go safely and efficiently,” said Manitoba Central Services Minister Reg Helwer. “Our government will continue to invest in projects that improve the quality of life for residents."
