Winnipeg mayor announces plans to reopen Portage and Main

Winnipeg’s mayor says he is now in favour of reopening Portage and Main to pedestrians instead of footing the multimillion-dollar repair bill and gutting out years of construction-related traffic delays.

Winnipeg’s mayor said he is drafting a motion to reopen Portage and Main to pedestrians to dodge a multimillion-dollar repair bill and years of construction-related traffic delays.

Scott Gillingham made the announcement Friday morning at Winnipeg City Hall flanked by four fellow city councillors.

Gillingham said a new city report on traffic impacts and associated costs of repairing the waterproof membrane underneath the road surface outlines four to five years of construction-related traffic delays and could cost at least $73 million.

Beyond that, more costly repairs could be needed in 30 to 40 years time.

“I cannot support the status quo as outlined in the administrative report, and I believe that for the benefit of commuters and businesses and residents and taxpayers, we need to pursue a more practical alternative,” he said.

“It’s time to open Portage and Main to pedestrian traffic.”

Gillingham said he’s working with Coun. Sherri Rollins to draft a motion that recommends the city open Portage and Main to pedestrian crossings by the summer of 2025 to coincide with the launch of the city’s new transit network.