Roads, Infrastructure & Transit

RESTORE WHAT WORKED. FIX WHAT IS FAILING.

Residents should be able to travel through Winnipeg safely, reliably and affordably.

That means a transit system that gets people where they need to go, roads that are properly maintained, sidewalks that are accessible, and infrastructure projects that are not delayed for years without clear answers.

Residents are paying more.

They expect better.

They deserve better.

Residents also deserve to know that every dollar invested in roads, transit and infrastructure is being spent wisely and producing measurable results.

Mynarski includes older neighbourhoods with aging roads, sidewalks, back lanes, drainage systems, bridges and public infrastructure. These neighbourhoods cannot continue being treated as an afterthought.

Our goal is practical.

• Restore the parts of the previous transit system that served residents better.
• Improve the current system where restoring previous routes is not practical.
• Bring stops and connections closer to the people who rely on them.
• Keep what is working and fix what is failing.
• Demand clear decisions, timelines and accountability for major infrastructure.
• Use better methods to repair roads and potholes.
• Improve winter transportation and accessibility.
• Report back publicly so residents know what is happening, what is delayed and where their money is going.

Residents have raised the same concerns repeatedly.

• Many residents want previous transit routes and connections restored.
• Some riders now have to walk much farther to reach a bus stop.
• Some neighbourhoods have lost stops that residents relied on.
• Seniors and people with mobility challenges are struggling with longer walking distances.
• Riders are making more transfers to complete trips that were previously more direct.
• Some routes no longer connect neighbourhoods, shopping areas, medical services and workplaces as effectively as they once did.
• Residents are frustrated by unreliable service and missed connections.
• Safety remains a serious concern on buses, at shelters and around major transit stops.
• Transit Plus riders are frustrated by rigid scheduling, dispatch practices and limited flexibility.
• Potholes are repaired and then reopen soon afterward.
• Roads are repeatedly patched instead of properly rebuilt.
• Sidewalks, back lanes and drainage systems are deteriorating.
• Residents using walkers, wheelchairs, scooters and strollers face accessibility barriers.
• Traffic lights are not always coordinated effectively, leading to unnecessary delays.
• Residents are frustrated by inconsistent snow clearing, sidewalk clearing, windrows and winter accessibility.
• Residents report the same infrastructure problems repeatedly without seeing lasting results.
• The City has begun removing the old Arlington Street Bridge, but residents still need clear answers about funding and timelines for its replacement.
• North End residents and businesses continue to live with the effects of losing this important connection while the replacement remains unfunded.

Residents are not asking for perfection. They are asking for a City that listens, plans properly, spends responsibly and fixes problems in a way that lasts.

My approach will focus on service, accessibility, accountability and practical results.

Transit should be designed around people, not simply around maps.

My first priority will be to examine whether the previous transit routes and stops that served Mynarski residents better can be restored.

Where bringing back the previous system or specific routes is practical, I will advocate for that. Where complete restoration is not possible, I will push to improve the current system by restoring important connections, adding stops, adjusting routes and reducing the distance residents must walk.

Residents should not be forced to accept worse service simply because a redesign has already been implemented.

Transit decisions must be judged by the experience of the people who rely on the system.

• Are residents walking farther?
• Are seniors able to reach stops safely?
• Are neighbourhoods still properly connected?
• Are trips taking longer?
• Are riders making more transfers?
• Are buses arriving reliably?

If the new system is making service worse, it must be changed.

The City has begun removing the old Arlington Street Bridge and advancing the replacement design. That progress should be acknowledged. The next responsibility is to secure construction funding, publish realistic timelines and keep residents informed until a new bridge is built.

Road maintenance must move beyond the same cycle of short-term repairs. Winnipeg should be willing to learn from other northern cities that have found longer-lasting ways to build and maintain roads. If another city is doing something better, Winnipeg should be prepared to learn from it, test it and measure the results.

Winter maintenance must also be treated as part of transportation. Roads, sidewalks, bus stops and intersections must remain accessible after snowfall, especially for seniors, families and people using mobility devices.

This platform will not promise that every pothole, transit delay or infrastructure problem will disappear immediately. It will promise stronger oversight, practical improvements, measurable results and public reporting.

Restore what worked. Fix what is failing.

• Listen directly to residents about transit, road, winter maintenance and infrastructure concerns.
• Conduct regular neighbourhood walks and infrastructure reviews throughout Mynarski.
• Ride transit routes with residents to understand their daily experiences.
• Identify stops, routes and connections that residents want restored.
• Bring recurring concerns directly to Public Works, Winnipeg Transit and other City departments.
• Request updates and explanations from City administration.
• Advocate for practical route, stop and schedule improvements.
• Push for restoration of previous routes and connections where they served residents better.
• Work with seniors, parents, transit riders and people with disabilities to identify accessibility barriers.
• Track Transit Plus concerns involving scheduling, dispatch and flexibility.
• Track recurring road, sidewalk, drainage, traffic-signal and snow-clearing complaints.
• Request clear explanations when projects are delayed.
• Monitor progress on major infrastructure projects affecting Mynarski.
• Review publicly available infrastructure spending affecting the ward.
• Report back publicly on progress, delays and unresolved concerns.
• Build support among Council for practical improvements.
• Push for provincial and federal cooperation where funding or jurisdiction is shared.

Transit

• A formal review of the transit redesign's impact on Mynarski residents.
• Restoration of previous routes, stops and neighbourhood connections where they provided better service.
• Additional stops where residents are walking unreasonable distances.
• Route changes where the new system has increased transfers or travel time.
• Better connections to workplaces, schools, medical services, shopping and community facilities.
• Improved service for seniors and residents with mobility challenges.
• Better transit reliability and clearer public reporting on missed trips and service interruptions.
• A stronger and more visible safety presence on buses, at shelters and around major transit hubs.
• Better lighting and safety design at shelters and transit hubs.
• Faster reporting and response to serious transit safety concerns.
• Better coordination among Winnipeg Transit, Winnipeg Police Service and community safety organizations.
• Public tracking of recurring transit safety incidents and problem locations.
• Better protection and support for transit drivers and frontline employees.
• A review of Transit Plus scheduling, dispatch practices and technology.
• Opportunities to make Transit Plus more flexible while maintaining fairness for all riders.
• Reasonable driver and dispatcher discretion where it can improve service without compromising safety or disadvantaging other passengers.

Roads and Infrastructure

• Continued progress on the Arlington Street Bridge replacement design, funding plan and construction timeline.
• Published timelines, funding responsibilities and progress updates for major infrastructure projects.
• Better road repair standards.
• Pilot projects using longer-lasting materials and repair methods.
• Public tracking of pothole complaints, repair times and repeat failures.
• Better contractor accountability and warranty enforcement.
• Long-term resurfacing plans instead of repeated temporary patching.
• Stronger inspection and maintenance of roads, sidewalks, back lanes, lighting and drainage systems.
• Infrastructure designed with accessibility in mind for seniors, parents with strollers and people using walkers, wheelchairs and scooters.
• Improved traffic-light coordination where practical to reduce delays and improve traffic flow.
• A review of snow clearing, sidewalk clearing, windrows and winter accessibility.
• Better coordination among City departments.
• Transparent reporting on infrastructure priorities, spending and delays.

• Provincial participation in major infrastructure projects that affect regional transportation and economic activity.
• Funding cooperation for construction of the new Arlington Street Bridge and other critical North End infrastructure.
• Provincial infrastructure partnerships for roads, bridges and transit capital.
• Support for road renewal in older neighbourhoods.
• Better coordination between the City and Province on major transportation projects.
• Provincial support for transit safety, addiction response and mental-health services connected to public transportation.
• Funding partnerships to improve accessibility and mobility for seniors and people with disabilities.
• Clear public reporting when provincial funding is required, approved or delayed.
• Cooperation where provincial highways, connecting roads or infrastructure affect Winnipeg traffic and transportation.

• Federal infrastructure funding for major bridge, road and transit projects.
• Funding partnerships for construction of the new Arlington Street Bridge.
• Federal transit capital and accessibility funding.
• Support for greener and more reliable public transportation.
• Investment in climate-resilient roads, drainage and infrastructure.
• Federal participation in long-term infrastructure renewal for older urban neighbourhoods.
• Transparent reporting on federal funding applications, approvals and delays.
• Fair access for Winnipeg and the North End to national infrastructure programs.

Transit must work for the people who use it.

Many residents rely on Winnipeg Transit to get to work, school, medical appointments, grocery stores, community programs and family responsibilities.

For seniors, people with disabilities and residents without a vehicle, transit is not simply a convenience. It is essential.

My position is clear.

Where the previous transit system served residents better, we should work to bring those routes, stops and connections back.

Many residents have told me that they had more direct service before the redesign. They had stops closer to home. They had fewer transfers. Their neighbourhoods were better connected.

Those concerns must not be dismissed.

The current system must not be protected simply because it is new. It must earn the confidence of residents by providing better service.

Where restoring the previous route structure is practical, I will advocate for restoration. Where full restoration is not practical, I will push for changes that achieve the same goal.

• Bring stops closer to residents.
• Restore important neighbourhood connections.
• Reduce unnecessary transfers.
• Adjust routes and schedules.
• Improve connections between major streets and residential areas.
• Ensure seniors and people with mobility challenges can reach stops safely.
• Improve reliability and reduce missed connections.

Transit should be designed around people, not simply around maps.

The real test is not whether the system appears efficient on paper. The real test is whether residents can get where they need to go safely, reliably and without unnecessary hardship.

Transit Plus must also work better for the people who rely on it. Residents have raised concerns about rigid booking systems, scheduling, dispatch and a lack of flexibility. Technology should help riders. It should not become another barrier.

Drivers and dispatchers need clear standards, but they should also have reasonable discretion when a small adjustment can help a rider without creating unfairness for others.

A transit system is only useful when riders and drivers feel safe using it.

Residents have raised concerns about violence, intimidation, open drug use, disorder and unsafe conditions on buses, at shelters and around major transit locations.

Transit safety requires more than moving a problem from one stop to another. It requires consistent coordination among Winnipeg Transit, Winnipeg Police Service, community safety organizations, mental-health services, addiction supports and other City departments.

• A stronger and more visible safety presence on buses, at shelters and around major transit hubs.
• Better lighting and visibility at transit stops.
• Faster reporting and response to serious safety concerns.
• Improved coordination between Winnipeg Transit, police and community safety services.
• Reviews of shelters and transit hubs using Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design principles where appropriate.
• Better tracking of recurring safety incidents and problem locations.
• Clearer public reporting on transit safety concerns and the actions being taken.
• Support for drivers and frontline transit employees who face violence, threats and unsafe working conditions.
• Pathways connecting people in crisis with mental-health, addiction treatment and recovery services.
• Accountability when behaviour threatens the safety of riders, drivers or the public.

Enforcement alone will not solve addiction, mental illness or homelessness.

Ignoring dangerous behaviour will not solve those problems either.

The City needs an approach that combines prevention, intervention, treatment, recovery and accountability.

Priority #1, Neighbourhood Safety & Community Pride, contains my broader public-safety strategy. Priority #4 focuses specifically on making Winnipeg Transit safer, more reliable and more accessible for the people who depend on it.

The Arlington Street Bridge is more than a transportation issue.

It is an essential connection for North End residents, businesses, commuters and emergency services.

The City has now begun removing the old bridge and is advancing the design of its replacement.

That progress should be acknowledged.

The next responsibility is making sure removal of the old bridge is followed by a clear, funded and accountable plan to build the new one.

Residents deserve clear answers about:

• Progress on the replacement design.
• How the new bridge will serve vehicles, transit, pedestrians and cyclists.
• The estimated construction cost.
• Which levels of government will be asked to contribute funding.
• When funding decisions are expected.
• The realistic construction timeline.
• What will happen if funding is delayed.
• How traffic, businesses, emergency access and surrounding neighbourhoods will be supported until the replacement opens.

As City Councillor, I will support the work already underway while continuing to push for the replacement project to move forward without unnecessary delay.

I will not pretend that one councillor can fund and build a bridge alone.

A new bridge will require cooperation among the Mayor, City Council, City administration, the Province of Manitoba and potentially the Government of Canada.

My responsibility will be to keep the replacement high on City Hall's agenda, advocate for funding partnerships, demand clear timelines and report back regularly to residents.

Taking down the old bridge is an important step.

The job will not be complete until the North End has a safe, modern replacement connection.

Winnipeg's climate makes road maintenance difficult.

That is a reality.

It is not an excuse to keep using repair methods that repeatedly fail.

Residents watch potholes get filled, reopen and get filled again. This wastes money, damages vehicles and reduces confidence in City services.

Winnipeg should compare its road construction and repair methods with other Canadian and northern cities facing similar freeze-and-thaw conditions.

That review should include:

• Cold-weather repair materials.
• Hot and cold asphalt methods.
• Spray injection and infrared repair technology.
• Proper preparation and drying of damaged areas.
• Preventive crack sealing.
• Road drainage.
• Road base failures.
• Inspection standards.
• Contractor performance.
• Warranty requirements.
• Long-term resurfacing schedules.
• Technology for detecting and tracking road damage.

The City should test promising methods through pilot projects. Results must then be measured publicly.

• How long did the repair last?
• How much did it cost?
• Did the same location fail again?
• Was the contractor responsible?
• Was the road base the real problem?
• Would a permanent repair have been less expensive over time?

The lowest-priced repair is not always the lowest-cost option if it must be repeated several times.

Roads are only one part of transportation infrastructure. Sidewalks, back lanes, street lighting, traffic signals, sewer systems, drainage and snow clearing all affect safety, mobility and quality of life.

Older neighbourhoods must receive fair attention in long-term infrastructure planning.

Trees are neighbourhood infrastructure.

Road construction, sidewalk renewal, utility work and development can all affect Winnipeg's urban forest. Too often, tree protection is considered only after major project decisions have already been made.

The City should consider healthy mature trees at the beginning of project planning, not only when construction is ready to begin.

Infrastructure plans should consider not only the visible tree, but also the space needed to protect its roots. Excavation, heavy equipment, soil compaction and construction-material storage can seriously damage mature trees even when the trunk remains standing. In some cases, that damage may not become visible until years after construction has been completed.

Wherever reasonably possible, road, sidewalk, utility and development projects should be designed to protect healthy mature trees and their root systems while still delivering safe and reliable public infrastructure.

When a public tree must be removed for necessary infrastructure work, residents deserve clear information explaining why removal is required, whether replacement is possible, the expected timeline where possible, whether replacement will occur at the project site or another suitable nearby location, and what species or planting approach may be most appropriate.

Development and infrastructure approvals should identify potential impacts on public trees early enough for protection or replacement options to be properly considered.

New infrastructure projects should also identify opportunities for additional tree planting, particularly near sidewalks, transit stops, parks, schools, community centres and other heavily used public spaces.

Shade near transit stops and pedestrian routes can make walking and waiting more comfortable, particularly for seniors, children and residents during extreme summer heat.

What I Will Advocate For

• Earlier coordination between Urban Forestry, roads, sidewalks, utilities, transit and development planning.
• Protection of healthy mature trees and their root zones wherever reasonably possible during infrastructure and development projects.
• Practical safeguards to reduce unnecessary root damage from excavation, heavy equipment, soil compaction and construction activities.
• Clear communication with residents before significant public trees are removed for infrastructure work.
• Replacement plans, reasonable timelines where possible and clear information about whether replacement will occur at the project site or another suitable nearby location where planting conditions allow.
• Better coordination so reconstructed streets, sidewalks and other public infrastructure include suitable opportunities for future tree planting.
• Strategic shade-tree planting near transit stops, pedestrian routes and public gathering spaces where space, safety, visibility and underground infrastructure allow.
• Appropriate tree species and planting locations that consider available space, underground utilities, long-term maintenance, public safety and visibility.
• Early review of potential impacts on public trees during both City infrastructure projects and private development affecting public trees or City boulevards.
• Public reporting for major City projects showing which trees were identified before work began, which were protected, which were removed, why removals were necessary and what replacement planting was planned or completed.

My Commitment

We should not have to choose between reliable infrastructure and healthy neighbourhood trees when good planning can protect both.

If elected, I will push for better coordination before construction begins, stronger protection for healthy trees and their roots, clear replacement plans when removals are unavoidable and public reporting on the results.

Trees are neighbourhood infrastructure, and they should be considered in every major public infrastructure project.

Winnipeg is a winter city.

Transportation planning must reflect that reality.

Residents should be able to use roads, sidewalks, transit stops and intersections safely after snowfall.

Poor snow clearing creates serious problems for:

• Seniors.
• People using walkers, wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
• Parents pushing strollers.
• Transit riders.
• Schoolchildren.
• Emergency vehicles.
• Residents trying to enter or leave their driveways.

I will advocate for a review of snow-clearing standards and performance in Mynarski, including residential streets, sidewalks, bus stops, windrows, pedestrian crossings, response times and the City's handling of missed or inadequate clearing.

Winter accessibility is not optional. It is part of providing safe and reliable transportation.

Traffic congestion is not always caused by the number of vehicles alone.

Poorly coordinated traffic signals can create unnecessary delays, longer idling times and frustration for drivers and transit riders.

Where practical, I will advocate for improved traffic-light coordination on major routes.

• Reduce unnecessary stops.
• Improve traffic flow.
• Help buses remain on schedule.
• Reduce vehicle idling and emissions.
• Improve pedestrian crossing safety.
• Respond better to construction and bridge closures.

Changes must be based on traffic data, safety and neighbourhood needs.

• Previous transit routes, stops or connections restored where they provide better service.
• Reduced walking distances to transit stops where improvements are possible.
• Fewer unnecessary transfers.
• Better neighbourhood transit connections.
• Improved transit reliability.
• Better access for seniors and people with disabilities.
• Improved Transit Plus flexibility and rider satisfaction.
• Fewer recurring safety incidents at identified transit locations.
• Faster responses to serious transit safety concerns.
• Improved rider and driver confidence in transit safety.
• Better lighting and visibility at priority shelters and transit hubs.
• Clear public reporting on transit safety actions and results.
• Completion of the replacement design, identification of funding partners and publication of a realistic construction timeline for the new Arlington Street Bridge.
• Published timelines and funding responsibilities for major infrastructure.
• Regular public progress reports.
• Faster responses to dangerous road and sidewalk conditions.
• Fewer repeat pothole failures at the same locations.
• Better tracking of road repair quality.
• Stronger contractor accountability.
• Better winter accessibility and improved snow-clearing performance.
• Better traffic flow where signal coordination can be improved.
• More long-term infrastructure renewal.
• Greater resident satisfaction and public confidence that infrastructure spending is producing real results.
• More healthy mature trees protected during major infrastructure projects where reasonably possible.
• Clearer reporting on public trees protected, removed and replaced during major City projects.

As a Registered Nurse with more than 20 years of experience, a business owner, Realtor, homeowner and North End resident, I understand how roads, transit and infrastructure affect people's everyday lives.

They affect whether someone can get to work on time, whether a senior can safely reach a bus stop, whether a parent can push a stroller along a sidewalk, whether a business can receive customers, and whether emergency services can move quickly through the city.

I have driven Winnipeg's roads. I have watched our transit system change. I have listened to residents who now walk farther, transfer more often and struggle to reach the services they depend on.

I do not believe residents should have to report the same pothole, sidewalk, snow-clearing or transit problem year after year without seeing lasting results.

Residents should not be left wondering whether a major bridge has a future.

They should not be told to accept transit changes that have made their daily lives harder.

They should not watch the City repeatedly spend money on repairs that fail.

If elected, I will ask the hard questions.

I will follow the money.

I will demand decisions and timelines.

I will report back.

And I will keep pushing until residents see measurable progress.

Listen.

Report Back.

Follow the Money.

Build Solutions.

If elected, I will publicly track major road, transit, transit-safety, winter-maintenance and infrastructure concerns brought to my office.

I will report on progress, delays, costs and decisions. I will explain what City administration can do, what requires a vote of Council and what requires support from Manitoba or Canada.

I will provide regular public updates on:

• Transit routes and stops residents want restored.
• Route and schedule reviews.
• Transit reliability and accessibility.
• Transit Plus concerns.
• Transit safety incidents, problem locations and actions taken.
• Arlington Street Bridge removal, replacement design, funding and construction timelines.
• Road and pothole repair performance.
• Snow clearing and winter accessibility.
• Sidewalk, back lane and drainage concerns.
• Traffic-signal coordination.
• Major infrastructure spending affecting Mynarski.
• Trees protected, removed and replaced during major infrastructure projects.

Residents deserve to know what is happening.

They also deserve to know when nothing is happening and why.

Let's Make Change Together.