Funding pledged for Kenaston expansion

More than $50 million in funding to expand a major Winnipeg roadway was announced by officials from all three levels of government Sunday afternoon.

The federal, provincial and municipal governments pledged $54.7 million to expand Kenaston Boulevard from Bishop Grandin Boulevard to the south Perimeter Highway and widen Kenaston south of McGillivray Boulevard.

The project means an underpass or overpass will be built at Bishop Grandin.

The construction would begin this year with an anticipated completion date some time in 2011, according to a statement issued by officials.

The cost of the project will be split as follows:

• $18.2 million from the federal government
• $15 million from the province
• $21.5 million from the city of Winnipeg.

The announcement comes as the fast pace of development of new Winnipeg suburb Waverley West continues.

Overall, the Waverley West subdivision covers 3,000 acres (1,214 hectares) of provincial Crown land in southwest Winnipeg. Once fully developed, which could be in the next 25 to 30 years, it could be home to around 13,000 houses.

But rumours of a fall election could impact the federal funding for the project, which is subject to the eligibility requirements of the Conservative government's Building Canada Fund.

Funding from the city is subject to approval from city council.