Winnipeg Roads & Infrastructure

[cheswick]

Originally Posted by rrskylar

So I posted earlier about the much heralded twinning of Transcona Boulevard from Plessis to Peguis, well it's actually just going to be twinned from Plessis to the railway tracks or a couple blocks. Whipty-Do

Peguis at Concordia now open

Clusterfuck intersection at Peguis and Reenders still a mess, almost looks like it got put on hold until spring.

At least the entrance to Costco is now aligned to the intersection.

[Riverman]

Originally Posted by buzzg

This. It baffles me how many people, especially here on SSP, are making unfounded claims that the "majority of the city" doesn't want P&M open (no proof), and all the ridiculous traffic armageddon claims, yet it was one of Bowman's biggest campaign promises, and he overwhelmingly won the mayoral race.

No need for proof. It is pointless trying to prove a negative. But if you assert that the "majority of the city" does want to have the intersection open, then the burden of proof is on you.

And don't even try the election angle. Bowman was running against a sack of russet potatoes with earrings. People voted for Bowman purely to avoid the alternative.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by Riverman

And don't even try the election angle. Bowman was running against a sack of russet potatoes with earrings. People voted for Bowman purely to avoid the alternative.

May I remind you that there was at least one experienced, credible candidate who was on the record as opposing the re-opening of Portage and Main to pedestrians?

[Riverman]

And we all know what happened to him.

[rkspec]

Originally Posted by bomberjet

Anyone been through the updated rail crossing on Peguis at Concordia yet? Is it 4 lanes?

its 2 lanes still, i was expecting 4 as well.

but the elevation is now fixed so you dont get air driving over the tracks.

[bomberjet]

dang. Would surprise my fiancé there all the time.

[buzzg]

Originally Posted by Riverman

No need for proof. It is pointless trying to prove a negative. But if you assert that the "majority of the city" does want to have the intersection open, then the burden of proof is on you.

And don't even try the election angle. Bowman was running against a sack of russet potatoes with earrings. People voted for Bowman purely to avoid the alternative.

I didn't make a claim in either direction, because there isn't proof either way. That was probably his number 2 election promise behind "cleaning up city hall" – aka his biggest tangible promise. So obviously no one was that worried about it. Other people could have run, including yourself, but they didn't, and that's how democracy works. Give and take. Win some, lose some. Never going to get it all your way.

[rrskylar]

Originally Posted by buzzg

I didn't make a claim in either direction, because there isn't proof either way. That was probably his number 2 election promise behind "cleaning up city hall" – aka his biggest tangible promise. So obviously no one was that worried about it. Other people could have run, including yourself, but they didn't, and that's how democracy works. Give and take. Win some, lose some. Never going to get it all your way.

Bowman was picked by the select few who really run this city to appear to run for mayor, go and get easily elected in almost acclamation fashion (with no real competition aside from a whiny, dumpy socialist and a guy whose wife torpedo’d his campaign) grab the mayors seat, stay out of their way and do as you’re told.

[Spocket]

Originally Posted by buzzg

I didn't make a claim in either direction, because there isn't proof either way. That was probably his number 2 election promise behind "cleaning up city hall" – aka his biggest tangible promise. So obviously no one was that worried about it. Other people could have run, including yourself, but they didn't, and that's how democracy works. Give and take. Win some, lose some. Never going to get it all your way.

I don't get this obsession with opening P&M to pedestrians. Even if you win, it's really only symbolic and I'm not sure what it's even supposed to be symbolic of.
Now, to be fair, I grew up mostly after it was closed to pedestrian traffic but I never felt particularly inconvenienced by it. Nobody is. There's so little pedestrian traffic there that it really is just a waste of time to screw up the traffic flow with pedestrians.

[optimusREIM]

Good heavens this is unbearably negative. I feel like this attitude is exactly what holds Winnipeg back from exacting real change. Bring on the visionaries for cripes sake!

[OTA in Winnipeg]

Originally Posted by Spocket

I don't get this obsession with opening P&M to pedestrians. Even if you win, it's really only symbolic and I'm not sure what it's even supposed to be symbolic of.
Now, to be fair, I grew up mostly after it was closed to pedestrian traffic but I never felt particularly inconvenienced by it. Nobody is. There's so little pedestrian traffic there that it really is just a waste of time to screw up the traffic flow with pedestrians.

There is so little pedestrian traffic because of what was done to the intersection. Look at any picture of the area prior to this mess and you will see what it should be, and will be again once this is finally completed.

[rrskylar]

Originally Posted by OTA in Winnipeg

There is so little pedestrian traffic because of what was done to the intersection. Look at any picture of the area prior to this mess and you will see what it should be, and will be again once this is finally completed.

Where exactly are all these hordes of people that will suddenly materialize once and if the intersection is reopened to pedestrians going once they cross Main St. going east?

[Bluenote]

Originally Posted by OTA in Winnipeg

There is so little pedestrian traffic because of what was done to the intersection. Look at any picture of the area prior to this mess and you will see what it should be, and will be again once this is finally completed.

You are comparing to when it was lined with small businesses and when people actually went downtown to shop and work. This isn’t the 1940’s or 1950’s or 1960’s. When the 1970’s rolled around it was on a steep decline. Shopping centres were opening up all over Winnipeg. And then those so called visionaries you all speak of decided to bulldoze an entire city block. Those visionaries took away the last remaining small businesses there.

So yes. Winnipeg needs more visionaries lol

[optimusREIM]

Originally Posted by Bluenote

You are comparing to when it was lined with small businesses and when people actually went downtown to shop and work. This isn’t the 1940’s or 1950’s or 1960’s. When the 1970’s rolled around it was on a steep decline. Shopping centres were opening up all over Winnipeg. And then those so called visionaries you all speak of decided to bulldoze an entire city block. Those visionaries took away the last remaining small businesses there.

So yes. Winnipeg needs more visionaries lol

The types of visionaries in talking about are the types that articulate visions for the city that somewhat reflect opinions here on SSP (yes I know we don't all unanimously agree on everything).

I have often thought of throwing my hat in the ring to try and do something to improve this city, but if Bowman serves as a good example, then it's not wise. Being a civic politician, especially one with any sort of foresight or vision, is a glamourless thankless job. People are so skeptical of any change that it's no wonder this city continues to stagnate.

[Spocket]

Originally Posted by optimusREIM

Good heavens this is unbearably negative. I feel like this attitude is exactly what holds Winnipeg back from exacting real change. Bring on the visionaries for cripes sake!

I see it as neither positive nor negative. Just a statement of facts.
There are no throngs of people trying to cross the intersection because the only people who have any reason to do so are in the office towers and for them it makes far more sense to use the climate controlled and completely accessible underground concourse.

Who has any reason to cross at that particular intersection? I can count on one hand how many times in my 40+ years of life that I ever had any reason to bother. There's nothing there. There's nobody living on the east side and all the bus routes stop in far more convenient places.

I'm not arguing against opening the intersection up, I'm just not seeing one positive thing about it. What is it? What do we get that's so "visionary" by opening it up to the three people trying to cross the intersection? I see absolutely no need whatsoever to use the word "visionary" at all in this context. "My vision is to be able to cross the street at ground level!" Wow. Reach for the stars buddy.

[optimusREIM]

"Transcona Coun. Russ Wyatt said he believes the initial budget for the Waverley underpass was grossly inflated and said it is "nonsense" to suggest any savings have been achieved."

That's rich Russ, considering that you pressured the govt to build an underpass in your constituency that cost twice the original estimate.

http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/m...ll-denardi-1.4

[esquire]

^ It is absurd that the city is basically subsidizing 35 parking spots for this private business. How does leasing surplus property for parking spots suddenly transform into a permanent entitlement that taxpayers have to support?

[Bluenote]

Originally Posted by optimusREIM

The types of visionaries in talking about are the types that articulate visions for the city that somewhat reflect opinions here on SSP (yes I know we don't all unanimously agree on everything).

I have often thought of throwing my hat in the ring to try and do something to improve this city, but if Bowman serves as a good example, then it's not wise. Being a civic politician, especially one with any sort of foresight or vision, is a glamourless thankless job. People are so skeptical of any change that it's no wonder this city continues to stagnate.

I hear you. But how do we weed out the good ideas from the base? Take old city hall and the entire area that was bulldozed for some cheaply made monolithic buildings with zero street appeal. And a freeway that is a few Kms long with a max speed of 50kmh that divided an area and was a big part in its downfall.

The tearing down of a city block at PnM was thought to be a great idea by most people. It wasn’t. Now we have a little Mayor that’s done nothing really except his pet project of exposing the Police boondoggle. And he wants to spend all this money on PnM.

I’m not against it or for it. I’m neutral. But taking down the barriers isn’t what the area needs. It needs a major facelift.

The entrances to the concourse need to be visible and well lit. Maybe glass that lets the sun in. The concrouse itself needs to be taken out of the 1970s. The 3 massive towers need to open their main floors to the street. The Richardson especially does. Even it if was just what the old TD towers did with grass and hotdog stands etc. But not it’s just a concrete wasteland. You can change that area without opening it’s up very easy. But just removing some concrete barriers will do nothing.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by Bluenote

The entrances to the concourse need to be visible and well lit. Maybe glass that lets the sun in. The concrouse itself needs to be taken out of the 1970s. The 3 massive towers need to open their main floors to the street. The Richardson especially does. Even it if was just what the old TD towers did with grass and hotdog stands etc. But not it’s just a concrete wasteland. You can change that area without opening it’s up very easy. But just removing some concrete barriers will do nothing.

Interesting point you raise here. If the concourse wasn't such an unpleasant embarrassment in its current form, I think there might not have been such a groundswell of support to open up the intersection to pedestrians again.

If at some point in the last 35 years they had replaced the ugly, bunker-like entrances with something more inviting and switched up the interior décor to something more up to date, you'd probably see less animosity towards the whole thing. Richardson did a good job updating its part of the network, but the City's part directly under P&M is lousy.

[Bluenote]

Originally Posted by esquire

Interesting point you raise here. If the concourse wasn't such an unpleasant embarrassment in its current form, I think there might not have been such a groundswell of support to open up the intersection to pedestrians again.

If at some point in the last 35 years they had replaced the ugly, bunker-like entrances with something more inviting and switched up the interior décor to something more up to date, you'd probably see less animosity towards the whole thing. Richardson did a good job updating its part of the network, but the City's part directly under P&M is lousy.

To further what I said. I do see hope for it. Once Artis gets done and they build their new residential tower. The area will start to change. If that empty parking lots gets the fabled hotel. We will see a lot of change. But right now it’s just office traffic and that isn’t enough even if it was all changed and updated.