On April 17, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Lisa Naylor paid a personal visit to Niverville to make a big provincial funding announcement.
The government has designated $9.65 million towards the reconstruction of Highway 311. The balance of the cost-share agreement, which totals $17.65 million, will be funded by the Town of Niverville as well as the developers who hold real estate on either side of the highway in the reconstruction zone.
With the design work nearly complete, the project is soon ready to go to tender. A start date on construction is expected later this year.
Continuing in the vein of this provincial and municipal partnership, the province will turn over full responsibility for this section of Highway 311 within town limits to the Town of Niverville at the completion of the project.
Construction, in its entirety, will include 3.5 kilometres of roadway from 100 meters west of Wallace Road all the way to Fifth Avenue on the east end of town.
The section from Wallace Road to Arena Road will undergo a major reconstruction, including widening to create four lanes as well as turning lanes. A roundabout will be installed approximately halfway between Wallace and Krahn Roads.
Plans also include upgrades to drainage and side street connection points, with improved signalization, potentially in the form of traffic lights at Krahn and Highway 311.
The project will then continue along the entire stretch of Main Street from the railway tracks to Fifth Avenue with a resurfacing of the existing asphalt.
“The [project] will contribute to a smoother surface for those travelling to Jette Studios and other local businesses,” Naylor told those gathered. “As well, it will significantly improve safety.”
Mayor Myron Dyck welcomed Naylor to the community and offered heartfelt gratitude for the funding promise.
“With the redesign of this highway and the roundabout that will be at our western border, this will be the landmark that forever welcomes the individuals that come into our community,” said Dyck.
In terms of new business and growth on the western end of the community, there’s still much to come, Dyck added, some of which he is as yet unable to share.
“There is a lot of interest in the community and in the couple of years it will take to build this [roadway] we will see significant investment in business and in housing,” said Dyck. “A population that is currently 8,000, in ten to 15 years’ time, it will be closer to 15,000 to 20,000, and we will be Manitoba’s newest city.”
Gordon Daman, economic development advisor to Niverville, indicated that today’s announcement is the culmination of years of hard work and advocacy on behalf of the mayor, council, and administrative staff.
“Infrastructure, at its best, is not just about what we build,” Daman said. “It’s about what it allows us to become. It allows communities to grow but, more importantly, to grow well… The goal is not simply growth for the sake of growth. The goal is to build communities that are sustainable, resilient and that continue to serve the people who call them home.”
Once Niverville has been awarded stewardship of Main Street, from Sixth Avenue to Wallace Road, the town will assume responsibility for road maintenance, traffic authority, and future improvements. The province will continue to take responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the community’s traffic signals.
“This project reflects our shared commitment to supporting growth, safety, and long-term infrastructure needs in Niverville,” Naylor concluded. “We look forward to continuing this strong partnership.”