Reaction to reopening Portage and Main pouring in
The future reopening of Portage and Main to pedestrian traffic is getting a mixed reaction from residents, but one organization says the decision is long overdue.
On Thursday, council voted to officially reopen the iconic intersection to pedestrian traffic again after barriers went up in 1979. The intersection would reopen by the summer of 2025.
“Portage and Main is such a flagship intersection for this city,” said Rebecca Henderson, who is in favour of the opening. “The fact that we have it closed to pedestrians seems counterintuitive to the type of downtown that we ultimately want to see.”
However, another Winnipeg resident said she is worried about safety once pedestrians are crossing.
“Everybody is used to their regular routes, their distractions, their engagements on how they drive, and some might not realize the barricades aren’t there and they may not realize some human beings are crossing,” she said.
Barrier-Free Manitoba, who have been advocating for the intersection to reopen, were also pleased with the news.
“I hope that in the rush of opening up Portage and Main that they still take the time to do it properly, that they consult with individuals with lived experience with disabilities, that they can really envision a new way of crossing and making that space as iconic as they possibly can,” said spokesperson David Kron. “We want to change it from a 20 minute odyssey underground to a two minute crossing of the street.”
Speaking Thursday, Mayor Scott Gillingham said the public service has been tasked with exploring next steps for the underground concourse under Portage and Main – including issues of cost, public access and artwork. He said this will involve property owners and downtown stakeholders.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.'s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease's progression.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
B.C. man fighting for refund after finding someone living at Whistler vacation rental
Edwin Mostered spent thousands of dollars booking a vacation home in Whistler, B.C., for a group skiing trip earlier this year – or so he thought.
Avs forward Valeri Nichushkin suspended at least six months
Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin was suspended for at least six months without pay and placed in Stage 3 of the league's player assistance program.
Collapsed Baltimore bridge span comes down with a boom after crews set off chain of explosives
Crews conducted a controlled demolition Monday to break down the largest remaining span of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
Security video caught admitted serial killer disposing of bodies in Winnipeg garbage bins
Security video caught admitted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki on multiple late-night outings, disposing of body parts in nearby garbage bins and dumpsters in the middle of the night.
Mortgage companies could intensify the next recession, U.S. officials warn
U.S. officials worry the next recession could be intensified by a cascading series of failures in the mortgage industry caused by crashing home prices, frozen financial markets and soaring delinquencies.