The Liberals have promised major infrastructure funding over the first years they're in power. (CBC News) The cement on a new Liberal government hasn't started to dry yet, but promises of infrastructure cash are generating some smiles in Winnipeg.

Prime minister designate Justin Trudeau promised during the campaign to run deficits of up to $10 billion a year, with $5 billion in new spending designated for massive infrastructure projects in the first year.

Mayor Brian Bowman didn't hesitate for a second when asked where he'd like to see the federal money spent.

"The number 1 priority for Winnipeggers is fix the roads," Bowman said at a Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce function the day after the election.

The city will pump a record $103.3 million into roads this year and looks forward to the federal government helping out, Bowman said. He also said he'd like to see the feds spend more on transit, specifically rapid transit.

People in the construction industry also relish the idea of a federal infrastructure tap getting turned on, but the enthusiasm comes with some caveats.

Spread the spend

Carmine Militano, a senior vice-president at Bockstael Construction, said he'd like to see what he calls a "balanced spend." Bockstael works on projects ranging from multi-family housing to schools to hospitals.

"There is infrastructure that is degrading, that needs some attention. At the same time, there's some quality-of-life infrastructure that's required and that is going to need some attention," Militano said.

Quality-of-life projects include affordable housing and investments in arts and culture facilities, he explained.

Carmine Militano of Bockstael Construction wants spending divided between crumbling infrastructure and what he called quality-of-life infrastructure such as cultural buildings. (LinkedIn.com) The federal government's participation in these projects is a bonus, he said, because no one level of government has to pay for everything on its own.

"It's leveraged dollars. It leverages the city's dollars, it leverages the province's dollars … it creates greater opportunity," Militano said.

Where Militano wants a split of priorities, the head of the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association is more focused on a single goal.

"Access to Manitoba's markets should be the priority," said Chris Lorenc.

Repairs and improvements to highways that bring commerce in and send Manitoba's materials out should be where the infrastructure money is spent, Lorenc said. He singled out Highway 75 and Highway 10, both routes to the U.S., and Highway 6 to Thompson as important links.

Lorenc also sees the massive CentrePort development, an inland port and foreign trade zone in Winnipeg, as an important piece of infrastructure that needs investment to continue growing.

Build it — but plan properly

Lorenc and Militano agreed on the need for proper planning and investments in productivity in the construction industry.

A big increase in infrastructure spending must be well thought out, Lorenc said.

"Don't build or repair just for the sake of building or repairing," he said.

There were also tempering words from Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce president Dave Angus.

"We have to make sure that this government — and we have to hold their feet to the fire — remains committed to competitiveness," Angus said. "If we start sliding, in relation to tax policy, regulation, etc., which make it more difficult for Canadian business to do business, then it won't matter. We won't have the resources to sustain infrastructure investment."

Trudeau said during the campaign that he'll discuss where federal infrastructure money is going in his first meeting with the provinces. ​The Liberals promised they would spread the cash equally among public transit, green projects and social infrastructure.