The City of Winnipeg’s street renewal budget will increase by $26.3 million in 2025, to $164.6 million, according to the preliminary budget released by Mayor Scott Gillingham and Finance Committee Chair Jeff Browaty December 11.
“We are pleased to see the Mayor and his budget working group have put serious commitment into ensuring that street repairs and rehabilitation are given the priority required,” MHCA President & CEO Chris Lorenc said.
“We’ve seen in repeated public opinion surveys that Winnipeggers are not happy with the condition of their roads, including active transportation facilities, and, I think, City Council has got that message loud and clear.”
The 2025 budget for streets is also $4.5 million higher than the 2024 budget forecasted for this year. Lorenc said that underscores the priority given to the program.
Other budget highlights include:
- Local and regional street budgets for 2026 and 2027 fall by a total $6 million, against what was forecasted for those years in the 2024 budget.
- The $6 million, however, is shifted to the special program for Portage Place development, dedicated to extending Edmonton Street
- Total for the 2025 annual and 5-year forecast is $1.05 billion. The annual and 5-year forecast in the 2024 budget was $984.2 million.
- The local and regional renewal budget in 2030 rises by $20 million to $203.4 million, from 2029 forecasted budget of $183.5 million.
- In 2027, it is proposed that the City shift $58.3 million from the local and regional renewal reserve – intended to be dedicated to roads – to the general operating budget.
- Those funds would be fully backfilled in the same year by cash from the Manitoba Strategic Infrastructure Fund
- This requires support of 2/3rds of Council in a vote
- Snow clearing in 2025, as of October, is proposed to see a reduction in service for residential streets. Snow clearing will start after 15 centimetres of snowfall, rather than 10 centimetres, which is the current policy. This is proposed as a pilot project.
Sewer and water main renewal budgets also saw increases for 2025.
The sewer renewal program rises to $26.25 million, compared to 2024’s $21 million. The program’s budget over 6 years will rise and fall, totalling $156.25 million, by 2030, according to budget forecasts.
The water renewal program budget sees a nominal $500,000 increase in 2025, at $21 million. Over 6 years, the budget rises, totalling $146.75 by 2030.
