By Sarah Klein
The Harkness Rapid Transit station (STAN MILOSEVIC / CHRISD.CA FILE)
WINNIPEG — The three levels of government have come together to fund the second phase of bus rapid transit.
The city and province will each contribute $225 million, with the federal government putting in $137.3 million to complete the Southwest Transitway.
Monday’s announcement was made at the former Greyhound bus depot on Balmoral Street near Portage Avenue.
“Our growing city needs a modern, efficient public transit system to make it easier to get to work, school or the world-class shopping and entertainment options across Winnipeg,” said Kevin Chief, minister of jobs and the economy.
Mayor Brian Bowman and MP Shelly Glover, minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, were also present for the announcement.
The project includes extending Winnipeg’s bus rapid transit system by 7.6 kilometres, adding 10 transit stations, two park-and-ride facilities, two transitway bridges, an overpass, a Pembina Highway underpass and a tunnel.
Officials said once complete, transit reliability and travel times will be improved, and congestion on local roads will be reduced.
Construction is set to begin in 2016 and be completed by April 2020. The first phase of BRT opened in April 2012.
