Winnipeg councillor blames feds for Kenaston traffic woes

A Winnipeg city councillor says if drivers don't like the traffic jams on Kenaston now, they should brace for worse, and they can thank the federal government for the log-jam.

Charleswood Coun. Paula Havixbeck said Wednesday that traffic on Kenaston Boulevard is already heavy now, but it will be a nightmare when Ikea opens next week at the corner of Sterling Lyon Parkway.

She said the problem is the federal government is tied up in court over the Kapyong Barracks, and the city cannot widen Kenaston as a result.

Havixbeck said the city, the provincial government and the developer did their parts by widening Route 90 between Taylor Avenue and Sterling Lyon, and now it's time for the feds to step up.

"I think that the federal government can insist on a bit more of an easement than the city has," she said.

"It's all jurisdictional and really what's needed is about a 200 foot easement where the residences are, the PMQ's," she added, referring to the private married quarters or military housing.

Havixbeck said she's been meeting with federal representatives on the issue since she was elected, but with little result.

"The city's had this plan and design underway for Kenaston widening for many years," she said.

"We need to get it going."