Manitoba

Winnipeg still waiting on rapid transit cash from province

Winnipeg's rapid transit expansion is facing some key deadlines but the city is still waiting on the province to show the money.

Delay in provincial funding could set back construction of rapid transit's second phase

The Manitoba government has promised to fund nearly one-third of the $590 million rapid transit expansion that would complete the link between the downtown and the University of Manitoba. (CBC)

Winnipeg's rapid transit expansion is facing some key deadlines but the city is still waiting on the province to show the money.

The Manitoba government has promised to cover nearly one-third of the $590-million rapid transit expansion that would complete the link between the downtown and the University of Manitoba.

But so far, the promise has amounted to nothing more than words.

The city needs to see the money before it can ask for tenders on the work, according to CBC city hall reporter Sean Kavanagh.

The city's finance committee will meet Thursday morning and is expected to hear that uncertainty could impact the construction schedule.

That means the city might have to come up with interim financing.

The province did not respond to CBC's request about when a cheque will be sent to city hall.