Winnipeg, MB – Pedestrians and cyclists in North Winnipeg will soon have even more terrain to cover.
Construction will get underway later this summer on Phase 2 of the Northwest Hydro Corridor.
The original corridor was built in 2022, just west of McPhillips Street. It spans almost three kilometres from Leila Avenue to Selkirk Avenue. Phase 2 will extend it by almost a kilometre in each direction.
Representatives from the Province of Manitoba, City of Winnipeg, and Trails Manitoba were on hand this morning – with golden shovels in-hand – to break the first ground.
“Our government is making it easier for Winnipeggers to choose active, sustainable ways to get around,” said MLA Mike Moyes, Minister of Environment and Climate Change. “Expanding the Northwest Hydro Corridor will create safer connections for pedestrians and cyclists, improve access to green space, and help build healthier, more connected communities.”
“This project is another example of what strong partnerships can accomplish for Winnipeg,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham. “By extending this active transportation corridor, we're improving connections between neighbourhoods, parks, schools, and destinations while creating more opportunities for people to choose how they move around our city.”
“Northwest Winnipeg has long been one of the city's most underserved areas for active transportation infrastructure. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of area Councillors and a strong partnership with Manitoba Hydro, that is about to change,” said Councillor Janice Lukes, Chairperson of the Standing Policy Committee on Public Works. “Today we are starting Phase 2 construction on what will be one of Winnipeg's premier active transportation trails, creating a safer, more connected, and more accessible route for residents to walk, run, and cycle.”
The new portions of the corridor will connect north from Leila Avenue to the greenspace behind Daylan Marshall Gate and south from Church Avenue to Selkirk Avenue.
“The Northwest Hydro Corridor has been a popular amenity for Old Kildonan residents since it originally opened in 2022,” said Councillor Devi Sharma, Old Kildonan. “The expanded active transportation path will help connect pedestrians and cyclists to more areas of the city, and offer residents of all ages and abilities an accessible way to focus on their health and wellness.”
“I have been working on the Northwest Hydro Corridor since I was first elected, building on the work started by my predecessor, Mike Pagtakhan, so this groundbreaking means a great deal to me,” said Councillor Vivian Santos, Point Douglas. “After years of planning, funding, and construction, it is exciting to see these final major extensions underway. This will bring the pathway farther south into Point Douglas, connect neighbourhoods, and give people a safe, practical way to walk and cycle through North Winnipeg.”
“We’re very excited to see the expansion of the Northwest Hydro Corridor,” said Councillor Ross Eadie, Mynarski. “Once complete, this active transportation trail will connect to the greenways along Machray Avenue from this trail to Charles Street, offering Mynarski residents more opportunities to get active.”
The $3-million project is funded in part by Trails Manitoba and includes:
- New lighting
- Benches
- Offshoot path connections to the Wellness Institute and Simkin Drive
- A new sidewalk on Admiral Avenue
- A future connection to the path network in the growing area of Amber Gates
It also includes new pedestrian crossings with rapid flashing beacons at Templeton Avenue, Mountain Avenue, and Burrows Avenue and additional traffic calming adjacent to the path in a number of locations.