Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/370921
SPEAKER'S CORNER 8 G O I N G P L A C E S | F A L L 2 0 1 4 MEAGAN FIDDLER/CBC Roads Are an Infrastructure Priority If you have driven anywhere in Manitoba lately, you know that our roads are in dire need of some TLC. In CAA Manitoba's 2014 Worst Roads cam- paign, more than 5,000 votes were cast for more than 500 roads in our province; each was in need of attention due to tra c congestion, potholes, cycling safety, tra c light synchronization or poor signage. It is clear that Manitobans, like me, are embarrassed by our roads. As we head to the voting polls next month, I am glad to see much of the election conversation is focused around infrastructure. After all, infrastruc- ture is about so much more than just potholes. It a ects every Manitoban, every day. Tourism, for instance, is gravely impacted by the state of our roads. We spend a lot of time and money to build attractions like the Canadian Museum for Human Rights or draw in world-class events like the Juno Awards or the FIFA Women's World Cup. But little attention is put on how we will get there – our roads. The journey to these attractions is riddled with crumbling infrastructure, traffic snarls and poorly planned bicycle routes. Bottom line: our roads should enhance the experience, not hinder it. The same impact can be felt across many other sectors, like health care, active living and trucking. If we want to build a better Manitoba, we need to start with a stronger foundation. is needs to begin at city hall and with other municipal gov- ernments across the province. I've heard from many politicians that our winters make it di cult to have good roads, but the blame for our infrastructure deficit can't be placed solely on our weather. Like other Manitobans, I have driven to places like North Dakota, Michigan and Alberta. All have similar cli- mates to ours, yet substantially better roads. ere are many places to look to for advice on how to build better roads so we aren't constantly required to x them. Money for these projects is there – it is collected through property taxes, PST and gas taxes (all of which have an amount dedicated to infrastructure). It just needs to get done, and soon. In saying that, I know all our infrastructure woes won't be xed overnight. What I want to see from this year's election candidates is responsiveness. Each and every person on that ballot must show that they are listening to the infrastructure priorities of Manito- bans, and, if elected, follow through with a concrete plan in a timely manner. Let's be proactive rather than reactive and make roads right the rst time, so we don't have to keep xing them. Make sure to cast your vote on Wednesday, October 22, 2014. Municipal elections will be held throughout Manitoba. For information about where and how to vote, please go to www.electionsmanitoba.ca. GP –Mike Mager President and CEO, CAA Manitoba If you have any comments about anything in Going Places, we'd love to hear from you. Write us: Speaker's Corner, P.O. Box 1400, 870 Empress Street, Winnipeg, MB R3C 2Z3; email: contact@caamanitoba.com. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. facebook.com/caamanitoba twitter.com/caamanitoba