Portage & Main, Winnipeg’s iconic intersection, is a part of our city’s narrative. It has played a key role in Winnipeg's physical and cultural landscapes. Pedestrians have not been able to cross the intersection at street level since 1979.
In March 2024, Council approved the recommended design vision for the Portage & Main intersection, with the addition that it include street-level pedestrian crossings.
Background
This construction project is the first step towards the revitalization of the Portage & Main intersection. As part of the project, we are opening Portage & Main to allow pedestrians to cross the intersection at street level and replacing aging infrastructure.
This work will significantly change the operation of the intersection to facilitate the safe movement of pedestrians, vehicles, and cyclists through the intersection.
The construction elements for this portion of the project include:
- Demolishing and removing the existing barrier walls
- Installing new traffic signals and streetlights
- Adding a curb extension on the southeast corner to allow for shorter pedestrian crossing distance across Portage Avenue and more pedestrian space at the corner
- Repairing and adjusting existing medians
- Installing new curbs and sidewalks throughout the intersection to accommodate pedestrian crossings on all four corners of the intersection
- Installing Transit stops to align with the Winnipeg Transit Master Plan – Primary Transit Network launching June 2025
There will be traffic and pedestrian impacts at the intersection during construction, including long term lane closures and traffic diversions. Pedestrian sidewalks at street level will close intermittently to facilitate certain construction activities, which will impact some circulating movements around some corners.
It’s anticipated that there will be closures to certain street level concourse access points (i.e. stairwells) during construction. Pedestrians may need to access the underground concourse via the properties adjacent to the intersection. Generally, movement through the underground concourse should be unaffected during construction.
Separate future projects will focus on the condition of the underground concourse and the reimagined public space.
The Public Service will be commissioning a study to assess the condition of the underground concourse to determine the steps required to decommission and close the concourse to public access and prepare the scope of work and budget. Once this is completed, an administrative report will be presented to Council for its consideration.
Additional streetscaping design work will be included in the upcoming Rapid Transit (Downtown Corridors) Preliminary Design Study, expected to begin in 2025. The study will integrate Winnipeg Transit infrastructure into the final design of the intersection. Council will then consider the project and funding.
Updates
A weeklong full closure of Portage Avenue East in both directions will start Tuesday, November 12.
A portion of the roadway will reopen to accommodate the annual Santa Claus Parade on November 16.
The full closure is part of pre-construction traffic signals work at the intersection. Local access to the Fairmont Hotel and surrounding surface lots will be maintained via Lombard Street.
The closure will accommodate underground work to help prepare for demolition of the concrete barricades and other major construction.
Winnipeggers should expect travel delays around the Portage & Main intersection as early as Tuesday, October 15.
Various sections of both roads’ curb and median lanes will be closed intermittently over the next four weeks, as traffic signals crews undertake pre-construction work at the intersection.
These preparations will allow a contractor to begin demolition of the concrete barricades and other major construction work in mid-November.
To help accommodate street-level work at the Portage & Main intersection, the War Monument at 335 Main St. needs to be relocated.
The Standing Policy Committee on Planning and Development considered an administrative report at its meeting on October 3, 2024. The committee concurred with the recommendation that the City accept the War Monument as a gift from the Manitoba Métis Federation, the National Government of the Red River Métis.
The War Monument, which commemorates 231 Bank of Montreal staff members who gave their lives during the First World War, will be relocated from its present location at 335 Main St. to the Brookside Cemetery Field of Honour.
Bank of Montreal & Royal Canadian Legion of Manitoba and Northwest Ontario were consulted and actively supported the relocation plan.
The City of Winnipeg issued a tender for construction that will allow pedestrians to cross the Portage & Main intersection at street level (an at-grade crossing).
This work will significantly change operation of the intersection to facilitate the safe movement of pedestrians, vehicles, and cyclists through the intersection.
Work includes:
- Demolishing and removing the existing barrier walls
- Installing new traffic signals and streetlights
- Adding a curb extension on the southeast corner to allow for shorter pedestrian crossing distance across Portage Avenue and more pedestrian space at the corner
- Repairing and adjusting existing medians
- Installing new curbs and sidewalks throughout the intersection to accommodate pedestrian crossings on all four corners of the intersection
The tender is anticipated to be awarded in early November, with construction activities outlined in the tender expected to start in mid-November.
It’s expected that construction at the intersection will finish by June 27, 2025, which will allow Winnipeg Transit to launch its new Primary Transit Network on June 29, 2025.
It’s anticipated that the Portage & Main intersection will open to street-level pedestrian crossing by July 1, 2025.
Timeline
March 21, 2024
- Project launch
- Council directive to begin project
April – July 2024
- Preliminary design
August – September 2024
- Detailed design
October 2024
- Construction tendering
November 2024
- Construction tender awarded
November 2024
- Construction begins
June 27, 2025
- Construction completed
June 29, 2025
- Primary Transit Network launches
July 1, 2025
- Intersection opens to at-grade pedestrian crossing
FAQs
- Main Street (Lombard Street to Pioneer Avenue)
- Portage Avenue (Fort Street to Main Street)
- Portage Avenue East (Main Street to 335 Main St. alleyway)
Construction will start in mid-November 2024.
The first steps will include demolition and structural and utility work.
Road and sidewalk construction will start in early spring 2025.
We are working with area stakeholders to minimize potential impacts throughout construction.
As with any construction, traffic will be affected.
We are working to minimize congestions and delays as best we can.
It’s also anticipated that some work may occur on weekends and during off-peak times on weekdays to help minimize potential disruptions.
We expect curb lanes in all four directions will be closed for the duration of the project.
After construction is complete, the following permanent traffic lane changes will be in place:
- No northbound right turn allowed from Main Street to Portage Avenue East
- A third left turn only lane added from eastbound Portage Avenue to northbound Main Street
- Eastbound Portage Avenue East reduced from two to one through lanes
We will maintain pedestrian access as much as possible.
We will review any interruptions to access with the affected property owners in advance.
Portions of sidewalks at each of the four corners will also be closed throughout construction.
We will provide construction staging directly to affected businesses and residents.
No, that is not part of this project.
The Public Service will be commissioning a study to assess the condition of the below-grade concourse to determine the steps required to decommission and close the concourse to public access and prepare the scope of work and budget.
Once this is completed, an administrative report will be presented to Council for its consideration.
In March 2024, Council approved the recommended design vision for the Portage & Main intersection, with the addition that it include street-level pedestrian crossings.
This project is focused on opening street-level pedestrian crossings.
Future studies and projects will focus on implementing the longer-term design vision at this iconic intersection.