Plan to improve section of Route 90 approved by Winnipeg City Council

A $586-million plan to widen and improve a section of Route 90 has cleared a hurdle at city hall, though it still remains unclear how the upgrades will be paid for.

A $586-million plan to widen and improve a section of Route 90 has cleared a hurdle at city hall, though it still remains unclear how the upgrades will be paid for.

At a meeting Thursday, Winnipeg City Council voted 13-3 in favour of accepting the preliminary design and referring the project to next year's investment planning process.

Couns. Cindy Gilroy, Matt Allard and Brian Mayes voted against the plan.

The project has three main components - refurbishing the St. James Bridge, adding a third lane to Kenaston Boulevard, and sewer and drainage improvements.

Mayor Scott Gillingham has said widening Kenaston Boulevard will have a positive environmental impact, as more lanes mean less idling and less time stuck in traffic.

However, widening the thoroughfare is just one aspect, noting the project needs to be done to accommodate a growing population.

"We can't make light of or ignore the fact that it is a key trade and transportation route. It does serve as the primary north/south route for trade and truck transportation in our city, the west side of our city," he said.