Winnipeg city council votes to reopen Portage and Main
Portage and Main will reopen to pedestrians as early as next summer after Winnipeg’s city council voted in favour of a motion on Thursday.
Mayor Scott Gillingham pushed to open the iconic intersection for the first time since it closed in 1979, because of a $73 million price tag to fix a failing membrane protecting the underground concourse below.
During Thursday’s meeting, council voted 11-3 in favour of knocking down long-standing barricades to let people walk across the street. The reopening will coincide with the new Winnipeg Transit system.
Councillors Jason Schreyer, Ross Eadie and Russ Wyatt opposed the motion. Councillors Markus Chambers and John Orlikow were absent from the vote.
“The decision in my mind now is to choose the practical alternative, to open the intersection to pedestrian traffic,” Gillingham said earlier in the day.
The underground circus will be decommissioned as a result.
Disability advocates have long called for the intersection to reopen and others say it’s difficult to navigate the intersection on foot.
Thursday’s decision comes years after a 2018 plebiscite where a majority of people voted to keep the intersection closed.
Following the vote, Gillingham took to X (formally known as Twitter) saying “opening Portage and Main will benefit commuters, businesses, residents, and taxpayers. It will coincide with the launch of the new transit route network, making our city more accessible and efficient for everyone.”
The mayor says council has tasked the public service to explore next steps for the underground concourse – including issues of cost, public access and artwork. He said this will involve property owners and downtown stakeholders.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Biscuits with possible plastic pieces, metal found in ground pork: Here are the recalls for this week
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Parents of infant who died in wrong-way crash on Ontario's Hwy. 401 were in same vehicle
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit has released new details about a wrong-way collision in Whitby on Monday night that claimed the lives of four people.
More than half of Canadians say freedom of speech is under threat, new poll suggests
A new poll suggests a majority of Canadians feel their right to freedom of speech is in danger.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Wally, the emotional support alligator once denied entry to a baseball game, is missing
Emotional support animal registrations in the United States reached 115,832 last year, by an industry group’s count. But in the eyes of reptile rescuer Joie Henney, there’s only one: 'Wally Gator.'
BREAKING Feds giving Toronto more than $104M to host 2026 FIFA World Cup
The federal government will provide Toronto just over $104 million in funding to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Tiger Woods gets special exemption to U.S. Open at Pinehurst
Tiger Woods accepted a special exemption for the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2, the first time the three-time champion has needed an exemption to play.
'Bare-adise' adventure: This nude cruise is due to set sail from Miami in 2025
What do you need to pack for a cruise? When it comes to this upcoming cruise from tour and travel company Bare Necessities, the answer appears to be very little.
Drew Barrymore explains how she accidentally left a list of her romantic partners at Danny DeVito's house
Danny DeVito had the opportunity to know way more about Drew Barrymore than the rest of us.