MTI to tender $150 million in additional work this season
Another $150 million in tenders from the highway infrastructure program will be advertised in the coming months, including $90 million in work that will be expended in 2024.
Word of additional tenders came at a July 15 meeting MHCA Board representatives had with MTI Minister Lisa Naylor and Deputy Minister Ryan Klos.
The topics discussed included: the tender ad schedule; the highways infrastructure program; delays to permits and locates; an annual and 5-year budget; and, the reinstatement of the policy to carry over to succeeding budget years any unexpended funds from annual highways budgets.
Minister Naylor said she has authority only to see the program budget fully expended, but would represent the industry’s points on reinstating carryover at the cabinet table.
The additional work to be tendered is the department’s way of managing the full annual program budget, accounting for the fact each year there are delays to some tender/awards, and to starts for construction projects. The total expenditure, however, will not exceed 2024’s $500-million highways infrastructure program budget.
In February, the department informed the industry at a program review meeting that 80% of the 2024 program had already been tendered and awarded.
The department undertook to provide MHCA with further details about the additional $150 million once available.
The Association also stressed to the minister and deputy minister the necessity of publicly publishing a report on an analysis of the transportation network’s condition and needs. That information is critical to laying out a long-term financing and program plan to bring Manitoba’s roads and water control structures up to good condition within a manageable time frame, MHCA President & CEO Chris Lorenc said.
Naylor asked the Association to provide to her any information with respect to other provinces’ practices in this regard. MHCA pointed to the reports produced by the City of Winnipeg.
The department will update the provincial five-year infrastructure strategy report, and committed to making it a “living” document, for reliable reference for the industry.
