Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/1497129
A SUPPLEMENT TO THE FREE PRESS SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 2023 3 INVESTMENTS in TRADE INFRASTRUCTURE build on WINNIPEG'S LEGACY W innipeg was born as a centre of trade. From the days Indigenous communities gathered at the meeting point of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers, through the era of York boats and Red River carts servicing Upper Fort Garry, to the establishment of the Winnipeg Grain Exchange and the growth of a thriving manufacturing sector, Winnipeg has been a place where products, people, and ideas intersect. Winnipeg is thriving as as a vital transportation hub. Our strategic location in the heart of Canada – where railways, highways, and a 24-hour international airport converge – puts Winnipeg in a prime position to tackle the challenges and opportunities of maintaining global supply chains. To drive even more growth and create new jobs in the logistics sector, the City of Winnipeg's 2023 budget invests in two transformative projects: a $60 million commitment to bring servicing to CentrePort South; and, $2.8 million to advance the extension of Chief Peguis Trail and the widening of Kenaston Boulevard. I championed the funding for CentrePort South, when I was the city councillor for St. James. Now industrial and residential development of its 1,800 acres of land is set to begin, thanks to the $60-million investment from the city and provincial support (a federal contribution is anticipated in the future). This project will allow Winnipeg to directly benefit from the hundreds of millions of private investment pouring into CentrePort. At full build-out, CentrePort South is expected to create 16,000 new jobs. The next generation of development at CentrePort gives added urgency to investment in our regional streets, which act as trade corridors. To ensure the smooth movement of commercial and commuter traffic into and around CentrePort, we're refining the design and cost estimates for the extension of Chief Peguis Trail from Main Street to Route 90, and the widening of Kenaston Boulevard from Taylor Avenue to Ness Avenue. A return-on-investment study will be conducted to secure funding support from the provincial and federal governments. The extension of Chief Peguis Trail is a game-changing project designed to improve traffic flow and connectivity in north Winnipeg. Not only will this project enhance the movement of goods and services, but it will support the growth of neighboring communities. By easing traffic congestion and providing better access to existing businesses, the extension of Chief Peguis Trail will promote the establishment of new commercial ventures and create job opportunities for residents. Similarly, the widening of Kenaston Boulevard is a crucial link in Winnipeg's transportation infrastructure. This major thoroughfare is the key artery for the movement of goods and people in the southwest Winnipeg. Capacity of this stretch of Kenaston has been static for decades, despite the addition of tens of thousands of new residents and significant new commercial and industrial developments in the area, acting as a bottleneck to commercial and commuter traffic. The widening of Kenaston also supports the development of the Naawi-Oodena Indigenous economic development zone at the former Kapyong Barracks site. As the largest project of its kind in Canada, with up to 3,000 new residences and over one million square feet of commercial space, this initiative showcases Winnipeg's commitment to economic reconciliation and a more inclusive, prosperous future. While improving the movement of goods is the primary driver behind the Chief Peguis Trail and Kenaston projects, they will also accommodate a significant expansion of Winnipeg's active transportation network. More than 10 kilometres of new separated pathways will connect residential, commercial, and industrial lands, providing safe, green commuting options for employees at CentrePort and additional recreational amenities for area residents. The investment in CentrePort South and revitalization of Winnipeg's trade routes allows the city to forge new connections, stimulating economic growth and setting up lasting opportunities for its diverse and talented population. These projects will bring immediate benefits to residents, businesses and our economy. But they also lay down a legacy for decades for generations to come. We are building from our city's rich history as a trading center to pave a brighter, more prosperous future. Scott Gillingham was elected mayor of the City of Winnipeg in November after serving as councillor for St. James from 2014-2022. 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