It's November and with rain over the weekend we all know what that will soon become. Portage la Prairie city manager Nathan Peto says the city is ready and snow cleaning equipment will hit the streets the need finally arises.
There has been plenty of talk about the recent construction on Saskatchewan Avenue and how snow removal will work with the new lanes. The manager recently talked about those responsibilities and how they are shared between the city and the province. Some of those shared duties include snow clearing on some of the main streets, bridge maintenance, and traffic light timing along Saskatchewan Avenue.
When asked about snow clearing the avenue, Peto explained that responsibilities are indeed shared.
“Saskatchewan Avenue, as part of Highway 1A, falls under provincial jurisdiction for its traffic lanes. This means the province is primarily responsible for clearing the four main lanes of traffic, while the city focuses on intersections, parking lanes, and adjacent infrastructure. We work proactively with the province to ensure roads and parking lanes are cleared promptly, emphasizing the city’s goal to maintain accessibility for local businesses and residents, especially during winter. With the recent infrastructure upgrades, the city and province have collaborated closely to make sure we can keep streets and access routes safe and clear.
Turning to bridge maintenance of the Tupper Street overpass, which has been going on over the past couple of weeks, Peto outlined the city's role in managing that.
“This one is a provincial responsibility. And we know it’s approaching the end of its usable life."
He says the city will work alongside provincial authorities as they decide whether to keep repairing or replace the aging structure otherwise known as the Skyline Bridge. The aim is not only to keep the bridge open for vehicles but to ensure pedestrian safety across the north end. As with snow clearing, this too involves a collaborative approach:
“A lot of it is partnerships, and we have good partnerships with the province. You can’t just say, ‘That’s the provincial issue.’ It’s in our community, so we’ll always work side by side.”
For residents concerned about the timing of traffic lights along Saskatchewan Avenue, Peto clarified that this responsibility also rests with the province. The ongoing construction and intersection changes have affected the traffic light system, leading to occasional delays and frustrations, something residents have talked about for years.
“Now that the construction is complete, the province will work to proactively time those lights,” he assured.
He noted that experts will fine-tune the signals aiming for smoother traffic flow. Peto understands the frustration that can come with sitting at a red light when no cross-traffic is present but emphasized that these lights are strategically placed and carefully managed by experts.
Finally, on the subject of lane markings and lighting along Saskatchewan Avenue, Peto highlighted recent improvements, which have added to the street’s safety and functionality.
"As part of the construction project, the avenue now features brighter lighting that extends visibility and boosts pedestrian safety. It’s safer for pedestrians, it’s safer for traffic flow, and I think people have a better idea of what lane they’re in. There are now clear markings at busy spots like the Homestead Co-op and Boston Pizza areas."
Overall, Peto’s insights underscored the city’s and province’s ongoing partnership in maintaining infrastructure vital to Portage la Prairie. This collaboration, he explained, is essential to enhancing city services and adapting to residents’ needs.