Winnipeg, MB – Committed to a future of providing transportation improvements and a connected network of pedestrian and cycling facilities in Winnipeg, City Councillors Devi Sharma, Old Kildonan Ward, and Jeff Browaty, North Kildonan Ward in partnership with the Government of Canada, celebrated the official ground breaking of the Chief Peguis Greenway Extension Project which will expand the multi-use pathway network and improve transportation options in Winnipeg for people of all ages and abilities.
The project will upgrade the existing pedestrian and cycling facilities to better accommodate multiple user groups, including cyclists, pedestrians, and Transit riders. The project provides a safer, more comfortable experience for cyclists and pedestrians crossing the Red River over the Kildonan Settlers Bridge. This project closes an important network gap as identified in the City’s Pedestrian and Cycling Strategies and improves access to transit stops.
“The Government of Canada recognizes that providing people with accessible active transportation options is key to developing greener and more inclusive communities,” said Maryann Mihychuk, Member of Parliament for Kildonan–St. Paul, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. “We are proud to support this strategic extension to the Chief Peguis Greenway, which will not only connect two of Winnipeg’s most popular pathways, but encourage everyone to stay active and enjoy the outdoors while moving around the City.”
“The City of Winnipeg is proud to play a leading role on improving pedestrian and cycling facilities, which are a priority for all members of our community,” said Councillor Devi Sharma, Old Kildonan Ward. “When we embrace the opportunity to invest in our transportation network, we ensure that we provide healthy opportunities and alternatives for all Winnipeggers.”
“The City has developed extensive active transportation networks on both the east and west sides of the Red River,” said Councillor Jeff Browaty, North Kildonan Ward. “While the bridge improvements are not inexpensive, they provide a safe and convenient connection at a far lower cost than proposals calling for building a separate, brand new AT bridge.”
Project highlights include:
- Construction of asphalt and concrete multi-use pathways along the existing roadway embankment of Chief Peguis Trail, from Henderson Highway to Main Street, and through Frog Plain Park, from Main Street to Frog Plain Way
- Widening of existing sidewalk on the south side of the Kildonan Settlers Bridge to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists
- Improvements to the Chief Peguis Greenway Pathway and Main Street intersection including an additional left turn lane on Main Street and the installation of bicycle crossing signals.
- Landscaping and corridor amenities including new trees and plantings, seating areas and wayfinding signage
- Transit stop improvements
- New pathway light installation along the entire pathway, as well as beneath both ends of the bridge
This year from April to October, work will consist of bridge sidewalk widening, intersection improvements at Chief Peguis Trail and Henderson Highway, and approximately 80 percent of the pathway construction and landscaping will be completed. The project will be placed on hold next winter due to seasonal shut-down, and the remainder of pathway and landscaping work will conclude in summer 2019.
The total cost of the Chief Peguis Greenway Extension Project is $7.2 million, of which the Government of Canada is providing $3.35 million.
The City received cost sharing funds for four pedestrian and cycling construction projects through the Government of Canada’s Public Transit Infrastructure Fund (PTIF). These projects support multi-modal transportation connections to Transit in Winnipeg. On September 27, 2017, Council approved $21 million in new projects as part of the City’s application for PTIF funding. In order to access additional federal funding, The City of Winnipeg reallocated $7.1 million within the Pedestrian and Cycling Program to four new Pedestrian and Cycling projects, for a net increase of $13.9 million to Pedestrian and Cycling projects. Projects include a new pedestrian and cyclist corridor along Kildonan Settlers Bridge, and protected bike lanes along Chevrier Boulevard and McDermot and Bannatyne Avenues. Work on Kildonan Settlers/Chief Peguis Extension projects is being paid through interim financing and will be paid back over 5 years with the Pedestrian and Cycling Program starting in 2019.
For more information about this project and to view the chosen design, visit: winnipeg.ca/chiefpeguisgreenway.