With a low risk of flooding this spring, Manitoba's infrastructure maintenance may be overwhelmed as repairs are still being made to the damages caused by last year's flooding.

Today Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Doyle Piwniuk announced repairs, restoration and rehabilitation projects to Manitoba's infrastructure are underway.

"Our government continues to focus on proactive measures to reduce future natural disaster impacts and increase the resiliency of our communities," says Piwniuk. "Critical investment in infrastructure protection will ensure our province is safeguarded from the potential damage of future weather events. Protecting Manitoba’s infrastructure is part of our government’s mitigation strategy and we are committed to further advancing preparedness solutions to enable communities and all Manitobans to continue to thrive even after experiencing significant weather events."

More than $9 million in precautionary and response work resulting from the spring flooding of 2022, including $6.4 million for 16 projects in the Parkland region and an additional $45 million in capital infrastructure work tendered.

Several consulting assignments have been awarded for culvert inspections, structure stabilization and replacements resulting in new construction projects for 2023.

The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure estimates $193.5 million in costs from the 2022 flood, including $182 million in recovery work to be completed in the next three years.

Key projects underway include:

  • $3.5 million for structure rehabilitation of the Bell River bridge on Provincial Trunk Highway 10 in the Rural Municipality of Mountain, including completed embankment reconstruction and river channel realignment. Further design and construction of long-term river training work are underway.
  • $3.5 million for structure replacement of Boundary Creek culverts through Prospect Road in Winnipeg Beach, which were removed to prevent upstream flooding. Construction is proposed for later this year.
  • $2.4 million for structure replacement of the Silver Harbour Bridge on Reconciliation Road in the Rural Municipality of Gimli. A replacement bridge is expected to open in April, with approach roadworks completed later this summer.
  • $3.5 million for structure replacement of Mary Jane Dam in the Rural Municipality of Pembina after the emergency spillway sustained significant erosion. The rehabilitation, designed for a one-in-100-year flood event, will be substantially completed by the end of March.

In addition to supporting municipalities in recovery through the Disaster Financial Assistance Program, municipalities can apply disaster financial assistance deductibles into an approved mitigation or preparedness project that builds resiliency against future events through the Mitigation and Preparedness Program (MPP). This innovative initiative will invest millions into local projects that help municipalities prepare for future events, the minister added.

To learn more about the MPP visit: www.gov.mb.ca/emo/mitigation/mpp.html.

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