Better access to the University of Manitoba’s Fort Garry campus from the St. Vital area could be within reach with this week’s launch of a request for proposals for new transportation routes by the City of Winnipeg.
Kenn Rosin of City of Winnipeg public works department explained that the conceptual study should be complete by late fall, with the request for proposals closing on April 4 and hopefully having someone appointed to the project by the end of April. He noted that spring flooding may also have an effect on the set timeline.
While the emphasis for the connection is on active transportation, Rosin added that the city is not opposed to alternatives such as transit connections.
“The current notion is that they want the study area to run approximately from the Bishop Grandin Bridge, south to the Perimeter, but practically speaking, what were looking at is some sort of a link between the university area and the St. Vital area,” said Rosin.
The study also plans to take into account viable riverbanks that wouldn’t require too much structural work, as most of them have stability issues. Consultations and the opportunity for community input would also be included so that members are comfortable with the project.
The city does not have a deadline for the entire project’s completion. Rosin said that he did not expect the connection to be built in 2012 unless there was major demand or support to have it completed sooner.
Some students seemed supportive of the initiative
Hao Chen, student at the university and UMREG member (and of no relation to the Manitoban’s Photo Editor), said that he supports a connection between St. Vital and the campus because he said it might encourage people to use more environmentally friendly ways of getting to school in order the avoid traffic congestion most commuters face along Bishop Grandin Boulevard.
“When I drove to school, I also wasted so much time [with] heavy traffic around 8 o’clock to 9 o’clock, so if the city will build a bridge directly into the campus, I think it would be great,” said Chen.
Chen also stated that although this proposal is a step in the right direction for the city regarding active transportation, more work needed to be done.
“I think in North America more than half of people drive their car to work and to school, but in Asian cities, like Tokyo, [most] people will take public transportation to go to school or their workplace. So, [ . . . ] right now, [with] the peak oil and climate change, we all need to make some changes.”
Maire McDermott, U of M sustainability coordinator, stated that while the proposal is only conceptual, she believe the idea of having an active transportation connection between both areas of the city could be very beneficial.
“I think there’s always opportunities to improve active transportation to and from the campus; it’s just a work in progress, always,” McDermott added.
Rosin also stated that though university had not been directly involved with the proposals, “once the consultant has been hired, they will certainly be talking to the university as a major stakeholder to get their input, hopefully both from the administration and from the students.”
