To help Council Candidates and Voters better understand cycling policy and infrastructure project priorities, Bike Winnipeg has put together a number of policy and infrastructure recommendations that we hope can be moved forward in the next term of council.
Plans to extend the Transcona Trail south across Regent Ave to Panet Rd will make a huge difference for people biking into or out of Transcona while providing much needed access to shopping within Transcona.
The Trasncona Trail was one of the biggest projects included in the 2010 Federal Stimulus Fund Package. It runs 6.7km from the Perimeter Highway across the northern limit of Transcona before veering southwest to follow the CEMR rail line to Regent Ave, where it ends.The Transcona Trail Extension project will extend the Transcona Trail across Regent Avenue and westward to Panet Rd. Construction of the Transcona Trail Extension is currently scheduled for 2019.
Plans to extend the Transcona Trail south across Regent Ave to Panet Rd will make a huge difference for people biking into or out of Transcona while providing much needed access to shopping within Transcona.
A second project included in the 2010 Federal Stimulus Fund Package constructed a pathway along the north side of Pandora Ave W between Plessis Rd and Day St. Pandora Ave East will undergo major rehabilitation work in 2020, which should extend the Pandora Pathway form Day St to Wayoata St. Similarly, Regent Ave West is scheduled for a mill & fill rehabilitation between Plessis Rd and Rougeau Rd in 2021.
Regional Streets Renewal Work in 2020 and 2021 present an opportunity to connect the Transcona Trail with the Pandora Pathway that whould not be missed.
It’s obvious that a low street connection between the Transcona Trail and the Pandora Pathway would provide a lot of benefit for people biking into or out of Transcona. The Regional Street Renewal program includes the renewal and reconstruction of the City’s regional streets, sidewalks and recreational walkways/paths, as well as incorporating pedestrian and cycling facilities on regional street renewal projects where identified in the Winnipeg Pedestrian and Cycling Strategies.
Beyond the entrance to 1500 Regent Ave, accommodating people on bikes along Regent Avenue would require a significant reallocation of roadway space and may not be politically viable at this point. Pandora Ave W, just south of Regent Ave and with far better connectivity to Mission Gardens Neighbourhood to the south Regent Ave, has wide boulevards between Owen Rd and Plessis Rd where a pathway could easily be built, and which would provide a direct connection to the existing pathway on the north side of Pandora Ave W. This pathway is part of the planned bike network laid out in the Pedestrian and Cycling Strategies. West of Owen Rd, Pandora Ave W is a quiet residential street that is suitable for people on bikes as is.
To provide a connection between the Transcona Trail at Rougeau Rd and Pandora Ave W, we see two possibilities.
Options for a low stress cycling connection between the Transcona Trail and the Pandora Ave W Pathway.
Our recommendation is to include construction of a pathway and neighbourhood greenway connection between the Transcona Trail and the Pandora Pathway in the rehabilitation works planned for Regent Ave W in 2021. A public engagement process should be included within the 2020 Pandora Ave E Rehabilitation project to determine connections between the Transcona Trail and the Pandora Pathway, and to provide preliminary and detailed design for the Pandora Pathway along Pandora Ave W.
Transcona Trail Extension Project (City of Winnipeg)
Eastern Corridor Study (City of Winnipeg)
Revised Budget – Regional and Local Street Renewal 2019-2023 (City of Winnipeg)
A major rehabilitation of the Lagimodiere Twin Bridges (Concordia and CPR Keewatin) will provide the city with an opportunity to carry through on one of the crossing improvements identified in the Pedestrian and Cycling Strategies[1].
A Through-Pass at the southern end of the Lagimodiere Twin Bridges would provide a connection between:
A Through-Pass similar to the one begin built as part of the Fermor Ave Seine River Bridge should be included in the Lagimodiere Twin Bridges Rehabilitation Project.
Options for a through-pass at Lagimodiere include a new through-pass along the Ravelstone right of way, similar to what is being done with the Fermor Ave Seine River Bridge rehabilitation project, or a pathway under the CPR Keewatin Bridge similar to what was built along the Bishop Grandin Greenway beneath the CN Letellier rail line.
We are asking candidates to commit to the inclusion of a Walk/Bike Though-Pass in the Lagimodiere Twin Bridges Rehabilitation Project.
[1]Pages 178-179, Pedestrian and Cycling Strategies, City of Winnipeg, 2015
Ward Boundaries: Legal Description Map