WINNIPEG

New bridge plan still calls for Disraeli closure

ctvwinnipeg.ca Published Wednesday, September 24, 2008 2:01PM CST

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City planners are now pitching a fourth option for a new Disraeli Bridge. The design includes a separate bridge for pedestrians and cyclists over the Red River.

However, politicians in the north east corner of the city say they are still opposed to the project because it will force the closure of the entire bridge for 16 months.

"The easiest way to facilitate it is to close the bridge and take everything off and do it as fast as you can," said Winnipeg's director of public works Bill Larkin.

This past spring the city released three different designs for a new Disraeli Bridge, which connects Elmwood to the downtown. The current bridge is old, corroded and in dire need of repair.

Just this week city planners pitched a new version, which adds a separate pedestrian bridge. Total cost for the project is $140 million, which is about $20 million less than the first three options.

Closing the bridge would inconvenience the drivers of the more than 42,000 vehicles that go over the Disraeli Bridge every day.

"I'm in a bit of a panic because I rely on this bridge everyday," said motorist Helen Coish.

"It may mean the end of a lot of small businesses along Henderson," said Linda Benzelock who owns A&A Jewelers.

Philip Roadley, who owns Bikes & Beyond, is already calculating his losses.

"Is it going to cost me a quarter million dollars in sales if we lose one spring in closure or is it going to mean two springs of closure which could almost be half a million in sales?" he said.

City councillors will vote on the proposal on Wednesday. Lillian Thomas (Elmwood) and Jeff Browaty (North Kildonan) say they'll reject the plan.

"Eighty-four per cent of the residents suggested the number one issue was the closure," said Browaty. "I want to know, are we doing absolutely everything we can to minimize to the utmost degree the length of time of this closure?"

Jim Maloway, who is an an NDP candidate in the Elmwood-Transcona riding in the current federal election, also opposed the plan because of the impact the closure would have on commuters.

Councillor Bill Clement (Charleswood) says a closure is an inconvenience but it needs to be done.

"It doesn't matter where you have a street, you've got to fix it at some time and there's always going to be businesses affected -- so really there's no perfect solution," he said.

The City of Winnipeg is also planning to help businesses with marketing money.

If council approves the most recent plan, construction could start in early 2010.

If the Disraeli Bridge does close, motorists will more than likely take one of four alternate routes: