'It’s getting out of control': Back lane pain in Winnipeg’s northeast

When the main roads are backed up, some drivers turn to back lanes to bypass traffic. However, residents who live in the city’s East Kildonan neighbourhood say they’re fed up with the makeshift detours down their alleyway.

When the main roads are backed up, some drivers turn to back lanes to bypass traffic.

However, residents who live in the city’s East Kildonan neighbourhood say they’re fed up with the makeshift detours down their alleyway.

The back lane, located between Simpson and Concordia avenues, is mostly barrier-free and car-friendly. While the speed limit is set at 30 kilometres per hour, residents believe vehicles are driving faster and more often.

“People try to use this as a shortcut,” said Ritik Ranga. “They’re trying to go around all the cars just so they could get to their place more quickly.”

Ranga said the back lane has turned into a popular “parking lot,” with parents waiting to pick up and drop off their children at nearby schools.

It’s become a pain and a safety concern, said Randy Bercier.

“I have a family here,” he said. “We try and play as much as we can, we try and use this as a green space to play and it’s just a super dangerous location right now.”