One of the candidates vying to lead Winnipeg is proposing a significant change to how the city manages major street repairs and upgrades, saying continuous work would shorten disruption and get key corridors reopened faster.
Round-the-clock construction pitched to tackle backlog
At a news conference at city hall, the Manitoba One Winnipeg candidate outlined a plan to negotiate contracts that would allow crews to work 24 hours a day on major routes such as Portage Avenue and Main Street. The candidate argued this approach would reduce the lengthy closures that have frustrated commuters and businesses.
“The closures in the city are far too long… 24-hour construction has to happen,” the candidate said, pointing to persistent congestion on north Main where traffic can be delayed by about an hour.
City staff and previous administrations have examined the feasibility of overnight construction before. A working group recommended exploring 24-hour operations back in 2019, but officials have raised concerns about increased costs and logistical challenges involved in running crews around the clock.
Water bills and smart meters among other promises
The candidate also promised to lower residential water rates by 10 per cent and freeze them for four years. To help cover the cost of the reduction, the candidate proposes cancelling the planned installation of new smart water meters.
Those measures form part of a broader platform aimed at easing household costs and shortening construction timelines on routes the campaign described as vital to city movement and commerce.
- 24-hour construction: negotiate with contractors for continuous work on major corridors
- Water-rate relief: cut by 10% and freeze for four years
- Smart meter pause: cancel planned roll-out to help finance the rate cut
Context and trade-offs
Winnipeg residents have long raised concerns about the timing and duration of road works. Proponents of round-the-clock construction argue that finishing projects faster reduces the total number of days roads are disrupted, which can benefit businesses, transit and emergency services in the long run.
Opponents point to potential downsides: increased costs for contractors, higher payroll and equipment expenses, and the practical complications of coordinating nighttime deliveries, inspections and utility relocations. There is also the prospect of amplified noise complaints from neighbours if heavy construction moves into overnight hours.
| Proposal | Stated aim |
|---|---|
| 24-hour construction | Shorten project timelines and reduce prolonged closures on major routes |
| 10% water-rate reduction | Lower household costs and provide temporary relief |
| Freeze water rates for four years | Provide predictability for residents over a multi-year period |
| Cancel smart meter installation | Offset cost of water-rate measures |
City officials have said previously that moving to continuous construction would be complex and could carry significant additional expense. The campaign acknowledges there will be trade-offs, asserting some residents may be unhappy with overnight noise but that the greater benefit lies in completing projects more quickly.
Election backdrop
The announcement comes as more than a dozen candidates complete the process to appear on the Winnipeg mayoral ballot. Polling has suggested many voters remain undecided about who should succeed the incumbent, with municipal issues such as infrastructure, household affordability and the stewardship of natural areas among top concerns.
Meanwhile, the incumbent has flagged a different priority — promising protection for the Seine River — underscoring divergent approaches to city planning, environment and services among candidates.
As the campaign unfolds, residents will be weighing whether a push toward continuous roadworks and a freeze on water rates represents a pragmatic approach to reducing disruption and costs, or whether the complexities and potential costs outweigh the proposed benefits. City hall staff will ultimately have to address the operational questions if any candidate moves to implement such a plan.
