Loewen and Hwy 12 reconstruction gets green light

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This article was published 24/05/2024 (573 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Driving through Steinbach will get a lot easier, but only after construction makes it a lot harder for the next year-and-a-half.

The $10-million reconstruction of the intersection at Loewen Boulevard and Highway 12 is expected to cause traffic headaches soon, with survey work already started. Construction should be completed by the fall of 2025.

Maple Leaf Construction was awarded the tender for $9.98 million by Steinbach council Tuesday night. Mayor Earl Funk explained it has been a long time coming.

“The hardest things are when you think you have a plan, you have a project and you think you’re starting in 2023, and then you hear no you’re starting in 2024. And before that it was 2022,” said Funk.

He spoke of the anticipation during the council meeting.

“When we first received word from the Province that they were going to enter into an agreement with us, I think it was September 2021, that’s when we took the pictures, shook hands, kissed all the babies, and we had a great time at that intersection.

“And then we went into the scope of the project and things have kept coming up. We had to postpone and postpone, and now we’re finally doing it,” said Funk.

He said surveyors were already out before the council meeting Tuesday so that construction could start as soon as possible.

“It’s really exciting to finally get it done. And we really need it. The amount of volume the intersection can take when it’s done – we shouldn’t be backing up until A&W at times during rush hour… and well past the school on the north side, or even the Shell,” said Funk.

Drivers going southbound on Highway 12 will have two lanes to turn left on Loewen Boulevard when work is done. The right turning lane will be larger.

Westbound Loewen Boulevard approaching the intersection will be double-laned, making it easier to turn right onto Highway 12. Eastbound Loewen will also be double-laned.

“You’ll be able to always move,” said Funk.

Sidewalk work is also being done, making it easier to walk on the east side of Highway 12. The pipes underneath will also be worked on while everything is dug up.

This is the last part of a years-long effort to reconstruct the intersections all along Highway 12 north of Main Street.

The bid came under the $10.38-million budget. That budget had the City paying $5.8 million and the Province paying $4.46 million.

As part of the City’s portion, there will be a $1.4-million general fund debt issue plus a $2.1-million utility fund debt issue. The rest is from reserves and operating funds.

The project was first initiated in 2020, according to City manager Troy Warkentin.

“Once this intersection is built, it will last for decades and decades,” said Funk.