Winnipeggers got their first look at a design on Dec. 9 to unclog traffic at a problem intersection.
An open house ran at the Caboto Centre on Wilkes Tuesday afternoon and into the evening on a plan to build an underpass at the Waverley and Taylor train crossing.
The city said 35,000 vehicles and 40 trains pass through the intersection daily.
"Everybody in Winnipeg knows how important this project is. The intersection has completely failed. The impact is happening on the neighbourhood,” said Coun. John Orlikow, who represents the area.
With the underpass running under the rail tracks, the plan would also see Taylor expanded to four lanes west of the intersection and would aim to improve bike and pedestrian paths in the area.
Drivers and pedestrians who spoke to CTV Winnipeg on Tuesday voiced support for an underpass to keep the flow of people and vehicles moving.
"I can be waiting for a train to go by and, as soon as it's done, there's another one right away,” said pedestrian Kim Burrow.
"It sucks when you're in a rush and you're trying to get across the tracks,” said motorist Brad Reichardt.
Some businesses are hopeful about the plan as well, but also have concerns it could limit parking and access.
"It would be nothing less than catastrophic for our business, our family business here and the 300 or so people that work out of this complex,” said Tom De Nardi of Piazza De Nardi.
Orlikow has been pushing for the underpass for years. He said he’s pleased plans are being finalized, but one thing is still missing.
"There is still work to do. We still need to get the funding in place,” he said.
The city expects the province and Ottawa to chip in for the underpass. The total price tag could run around $90 million.
No timeline is set for construction because the funding is not yet in place for the project.
- with a report from Jeff Keele
