Winnipeg roads get nearly $41M boost from federal gas tax fund

A total of $40,886,000 in federal gas tax funds isgoing toward 41 road and publictransportationprojects in Winnipeg over the next five years, the province says.

The federal government announced it will be investing$340 million from the tax into infrastructure projects across Manitobabetween 2014 and 2019.

"Gastaxfundingis important for Winnipeg, and helps improve, maintain and modernize our roadways and critical transportation infrastructure,"Coun.JaniceLukessaidin a statement.

A portion of the 2015 taxisgoingtopay off loans that were used forprojectsthat have already been completedlike those on theDisraeli Bridge and the Chief Peguis Trail.

Another portion is earmarked forpublictransportation upgrades and73 road maintenance projects.

Thirty-eightprojects will focus on resurfacing roads, with three major projectson Henderson Highway and Main Street.

A section of Henderson Highway's southbound lanes between Monroe Avenue and Hespeler Avenue are scheduled to be resurfaced, as is a stretch between Whellams Lane and Springfield Road.

Southbound lanes on Main Street between Inkster Boulevard and Mountain Avenue will also be repaired.

The federally-funded projects are intended to help improve the flow of traffic and road quality throughout the city.

A total of $333,383,432 from the gas tax has been allocated to Winnipeg road projects between 2006 and 2016.