Flood damage swells spending on roads, bridges

The Manitoba government says it will repairdozens ofbridges and renew or build more than 2,400 kilometres of road this year.

The province has released details of its infrastructure budget for the fiscal year, which includes almost $589 million for road and bridge worka slight increase from last year.

Premier Greg Selinger says spending is up due in part to flood damage from last year that needs to be repaired.

"We know that building and improving our roads and bridges is a priority for families and it's essential to a strong and growing economy," he said in a statement.

"That's why, over the last several years, we've made record investments in our roads through our highway renewal plan.But last year's record flooding caused a lot of damage that needs repair."

More than 80 bridges and 200 roads required repairs or complete reconstruction as a result of the 2011 flood.

The budget includes also includesrepairs to 20 bridges or overpassesbeyond those in need of flood repair. As well, it coversconstruction of the first phase of the east side road network.

The most important source of funding for theinfrastructure work is fuel taxes andthe 2.5-cent-per-litre increase in the gas tax, approved in the budget,will provide longterm funding, Selinger said.

"For every$1 Manitobans pay in provincial gas tax, over $2 will be invested in the roads and bridges our economy and our families depend on," said Selinger.

Some municipalities have complained that they're not getting a fair share of the money and that most of the spending is on provincial roadways. But Selinger says the province is transferring $262 million to municipalities.

He says that fulfils a promise to give municipalities the equivalent of one per cent of the provincial sales tax.