Ruby and Banning Streets have the potential to be an important part of the City of Winnipeg’s bicycle network, with direct, low stress access to a community centre, multiple commercial nodes and several schools in an area of the city that has been recognized as having a high potential to attract cyclists.
In order to reach that potential, the city needs to improve the safety and convenience people experience as they walk or bike along these streets. In particular, intersections along Ruby and Banning need improvements to ensure that pedestrians and cyclists on Ruby and Banning corridor encounter crossings that are appropriate to their comfort level and the level of traffic that they are facing.
The city has completed a design study for conversion of Ruby/Banning into a Neighbourhood Greenway. All treatments have considerations for impacts on vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle traffic. The recommended design was determined based on treatments that were ranked highest through public input in terms of cycling comfort and safety, and based on technical analysis.
View the recommended design.
Design features for the corridor, where cycling will continue to go both ways throughout:
- Palmertson Avenue to Westminster Avenue will remain the same, with the addition of raised intersections at Wolseley and Westminster avenues.
- Westminster Avenue to Preston Avenue will be one-way northbound with parking on the east side of the street.
- Preston Avenue to Portage Avenue will remain the same.
- Median barriers will be installed at the Portage Avenue intersection, which will prevent left turns out of, and in to, Ruby Street and Banning Street. Through movements along Ruby Street – Banning Street will also be prevented. Pedestrian/bicycle activated push buttons will also be added.
- Portage Avenue to Einarson Avenue remains the same with a raised intersection at Einarson Avenue. The four-way stop will change to a two-way stop for the cross streets, allowing north/south traffic to flow.
- Einarson Avenue to St. Matthews Avenue will have a raised crosswalk by Greenway School.
- The intersection at St. Matthews Avenue will have right in/right out islands and be upgraded to a half signal with pedestrian/bicycle activated push buttons.
- St. Matthews Avenue to Ellice Avenue will remain the same.
- The intersection at Ellice Avenue will add pedestrian/bicycle activated push buttons.
- Ellice Avenue to Sargent Avenue will be one-way northbound with parking and loading on the east side of the street. There will be two raised crosswalks at General Wolfe School and the egress at Sargent Avenue will be right turn only.
- The intersection at Sargent Avenue will be upgraded to a full signal with pedestrian/bicycle activated push buttons.
- Sargent Avenue to Wellington Avenue will have a raised intersection at McIntyre Avenue, and a raised crosswalk at Daniel McIntyre Collegiate.
- The intersection at Wellington Avenue will be upgraded to a full signal with pedestrian/bicycle activated push buttons.
- Wellington Avenue to the back lane before Notre Dame Avenue will be one-way northbound with parking on the east side of the street. Past the back lane the parking will continue on the east side of the street, while the street will remain two-way.
Next Steps and Future Considerations
The City will review the project to determine how it fits with other City priorities and future budget considerations. Funding could come from the Local Street Renewals Program, or from the Pedestrian and Cycling Program.
Requested Candidate Commitment:
- Commit to providing funding for the Ruby/Banning Neigbourhood Greenway during your term in office.
More Information
- Wolseley to West Alexander Corridor Study (City of Winnipeg)
- Ruby/Banning Neighbourhood Greenway Recommendations (Bike Winnipeg, 2015)