$400M St. Norbert bypass could be cancelled by Pallister government

Premier Brian Pallister's government is considering backing out of the $400-million St. Norbert bypass project south of Winnipeg.

The previous NDP government promised to build a new highway that would link Kenaston Boulevard with Highway 75 south of the La Salle River, bypassing the neighbourhood ofSt. Norbert.

• St. Norbert to be bypassed by new, $400M Manitoba highway

The plan includes building six kilometres of road and two cloverleafs one at Kenaston and the Perimeterand the other at Highway 75 as well as a bridge over the La Salle River.

The speed limit would be much faster than the 50 km/hour along the current highway through St. Norbert, said then infrastructure minister Steve Ashton.

"The previous government made a lot of promises they didn't keep, and so we'll determine our own priorities moving forward. We face a billion-dollar deficit. We have to be very careful with Manitobans'money," said current Infrastructure Minister Blaine Pedersen.

"Nothing is ruled out, but it's not ruled in right now, either, because we have to get a handle on our budget."

All infrastructure projects promised by the NDP are under review, said Pedersen.

The St.Norbert bypass is part of a multibillion-dollar master plan developed under the NDP that includes a new corridor between Winnipeg and Selkirk, additional lanes for several highways linking Winnipeg to other municipalities and other projects.

The masterplan was developed through aconsultation process with Winnipeg and surrounding municipalities that had never been done before.

• Winnipeg-Selkirk link, St. Norbert bypass in highway master plan