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In brief: Highway 10 revamp, Flin Flon councillor joins board

Gentler curves are a key component of ongoing work to upgrade Highway 10 between Flin Flon and Bakers Narrows. Nearly eight km southeast of Flin Flon, machinery has been at work to remove a large mound of rock and bush along a lakeside curve.
Mayor Cal Huntley and Coun. Karen MacKinnon
Mayor Cal Huntley last week congratulated Coun. Karen MacKinnon on rejoining the Association of Manitoba Municipalities board of directors.

Gentler curves are a key component of ongoing work to upgrade Highway 10 between Flin Flon and Bakers Narrows.

Nearly eight km southeast of Flin Flon, machinery has been at work to remove a large mound of rock and bush along a lakeside curve.

Larry Halayko, director of contract services for Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation, said the intent is to level the curve by moving the road further inland.

The end result may have some slight elevation, he said, but it would be within design standards.

Halayko said this is “a bit of a tighter curve” that doesn’t necessarily meet current standards.

As for the installation of turning lanes along the highway, he said his understanding is that some turnoffs will get lanes and others will not depending on traffic volume.

Speaking to The Reminder last week, Halayko said the highway revamp is proceeding as planned, as he was unaware of any major unexpected obstacles.

Winnipeg-based Hugh Munro Construction is completing the work as per provincial contract and specifications.

Between engineering crews and contractors, Halayko estimated some 30-plus people are currently working on the project.

The project began in 2014 and is scheduled to continue until the late fall this year. The project is expected to wrap up in 2016.

Halayko said there will be continued delays for motorists, but they will be minimized as much as possible.

The total three-year project is expected to cost the province north of $20 million.

Back on board

Flin Flon city councillor Karen MacKinnon has rejoined the board of directors of an influential lobbying
organization.

Earlier this month, MacKinnon was acclaimed to the position of northern Manitoba director (west side) for the Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM).

“I think it’s a good opportunity,” said MacKinnon. “It’s a very strong organization that works very well with all levels of government to help municipalities.”

Angela Enright, formerly of Snow Lake town council, had been northern director until last fall. When Enright lost re-election, the seat went vacant.

MacKinnon will serve a two-year term. Representing the eastern half of northern Manitoba is Coun. Duncan Wong of Thompson.

MacKinnon had previously served on the board of AMM, which aims to bring the concerns of Manitoba municipalities to the attention of upper levels of government.

She said a major issue for northern municipalities is one shared by all Manitoba municipalities: the need to upgrade infrastructure.

Renewed call

Flin Flon and other northern Manitoba communities have renewed calls for a base property tax, says Mayor Cal Huntley.

Huntley said a base tax was on the agenda when municipal leaders met with Municipal Government Minister Drew Caldwell in The Pas earlier this month.

“He heard what we were saying and, you know, where it goes from there I’m not sure,” said Huntley, speaking at last week’s city council meeting.

Huntley said Caldwell was told that Manitoba communities “need to have the same kind of a toolkit that our neighbours in Saskatchewan have” with regard to
taxation.

Unlike Saskatchewan, Manitoba prohibits municipalities from charging a base tax on properties. Council has spent years fighting for that right, but to no avail.

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