Winnipeg Transportation and Infrastructure

[Fozzy33]

Veterans plates coming to Manitoba motorcycles You've already seen veterans license plates on cars and trucks in Manitoba.

Soon you'll see them on motorcycles, too. The Selinger government is expanding the special license program to pay homage to veterans and peacekeepers for their dedication, bravery and sacrifices. The special plates for motorcycles will be ready prior to the 2013 riding season.

[Yellow Fever]

This is the first time I saw the photos of the Rapid Transit Buses stations.

image hosted on flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8558261...n/photostream/
At Osborne Station - Rapid Transit Winnipeg

image hosted on flickr

Rapid Bus Transit comes to Winnipeg by Canadian Dragon, on Flickr

image hosted on flickr

Osborne Station - Fuji X10 by TEKIM, on Flickr

image hosted on flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31765340@N04/6908921830/

[Fozzy33]

City earmarks $138.6M for rapid transit

The City of Winnipeg plans to set aside $138.6 million over the next three years to extend the Southwest Transitway to the University of Manitoba.

The city has earmarked $1.1 million in the 2013 capital budget to complete the design of the second leg of the Southwest Transitway, which has a projected cost of $350 million, as well as begin the design of an East Transitway that would connect downtown to Transcona.

A further $10 million has been earmarked for the Southwest Transitway in the 2014 capital budget, with another 127.5 million dedicated to the 2015 capital budget.

"The whole purpose of today quite simply is to show the commitment of city council," Mayor Sam Katz said this morning at the Winnipeg Transit's Fort Rouge garage.

The city and province do not have a deal with the province or Ottawa to complete the Southwest Transitway.

The announcement effectively places the funding onus on the Selinger government, which has said it will pay for the corridor but has not come to any agreement with the city.

Katz said he hopes Broadway will commit $137.5 million toward the second leg of the Southwest Transit way and also match the city's $1.1-million design commitment.

Ottawa has been asked to spend $75 million on the Southwest Transitway, using a fund devoted to public-private partnerships, Katz said.

The second leg will be operated by the city but could be constructed as a design-build public-private partnership, the mayor said.

Province willing to pay $117M

Manitoba Local Government Minister Ron Lemieux said he is thrilled to see the city commit to completing the transitway, and said the province remains committed to paying for one-third of the tab.

That works out $117 million, or $20.5 million shy of what the city wants to see from the province. But Lemieux said discussions with Ottawa may yield more federal dollars.

The first phase of the Southwest Transitway, which runs from Queen Elizabeth Way to Jubilee Avenue, opened in April.

If all funding is in place, construction on the second phase could begin in 2015 and be completed in 2018, said Winnipeg Transit director Dave Wardrop.

The second leg will most likely follow a dogleg route through Fort Garry instead of parallel to Pembina Highway. This route would run west through the Parker neighbourhood and then south along a Manitoba Hydro corridor.

Winnipeg Transit is expected to recommend this alignment to city council in early 2013

[Fozzy33]

For Winnipeggers who follow politics as well as hockey, the only thing more unattainable than NHL labour peace might just be a deal to complete the Southwest Transitway.

But a surprise move by Mayor Sam Katz has made the rapid-transit negotiations appear more promising than any closed-door discussions at hockey central in New York City.

By offering $137.5 million to extend the Southwest Transitway to the University of Manitoba campus, Winnipeg's mayor has opened up the possibility of ending an impasse that effectively began in September 2008.

At the end of the Labour Day long weekend that year, Katz and former premier Gary Doer stood inside a Fort Rouge bus garage to announce a $138-million plan to build the Southwest Transitway's first leg, a 3.6-kilometre busway that runs from Queen Elizabeth Way near The Forks to Jubilee Avenue at Pembina Highway.

After Doer resigned, successor Greg Selinger repeatedly asked Katz to show him the money to complete the corridor. What transpired next was just as painful as the NHL labour negotiations, albeit stretched out over three years.

First, the city pulled the completion of the Southwest Transitway from its list of big-ticket spending priorities. Then, Katz announced a preference for light-rail tracks over busways, claiming it would be cheaper to lay down train tracks than previously thought.

The city and province traded barbs about who would pay for a busway leg that now comes with a $350-million price tag. Katz wanted money on the table, while Selinger said future property-tax revenue could cover the tab.

Any hope to complete a deal seemed remote until Thursday, when Katz came almost out of nowhere with a pledge to spend $137.5 million to complete the Southwest Transitway.

Standing inside the same Fort Rouge transit garage, albeit without the premier beside him, Katz promised to devote $10 million in the city's 2014 capital budget toward the busway construction and then another $127.5 million in 2015.

"We have made this a priority," said Katz, explaining the city wants to have its money in place in time for the province to make a commitment of its own. "We have an opportunity to make sure this gets done."

The funding commitment, which will be included in the city's spending forecast early in 2013, marks the first time Katz has pledged money for rapid transit before other levels of government offered hard cash.

Back in 2008, Katz only came to the transitway table after Ottawa made a use-it-or-lose-it offer of $17.5 million for transportation funding in Manitoba. The city rebuffed subsequent provincial offers to pay for one-third of the second phase, as Katz insisted knowing where exactly the city was supposed to find the money.

On Thursday, the mayor made the unusual pledge of promising to borrow all $137.5 million of the city's money if the province follows through on its pledge to fund the project.

This amounts to both a compromise and a challenge, as the province faces mounting debt, an enormous deficit and a recent pledge to cut spending.

"There is no doubt in my mind about the province's desire to do this," Katz said. "You have heard them say rapid transit is a priority on many occasions."

Council finance chairman Russ Wyatt (Transcona) also asked the province to match a $1.1-million city commitment in 2013 to continue work on the design of the Southwest Transitway's second leg and begin plans for an East Transitway that will connect downtown to Transcona.

Local Government Minister Ron Lemieux said the province has already agreed to devote $1.1 million to transitway design and also stands by its repeated pledges to cover one-third of the cost of the Southwest Transitway's second leg.

Although that works out to only $116.7 million, Lemieux said he believes further discussions with the federal government may yield additional money.

"I'm pleased we're looking at a firm commitment from the city, instead of looking at every option under the sun," said Lemieux, who hopes all three levels of government will cover one-third of the $350-million tab.

The city, however, is only expecting Ottawa to pony up $75 million through a fund dedicated for public-private partnerships. Although the city will own the entire Southwest Transitway, the second leg could be constructed as a design-build partnership with a private consortium, Wyatt said.

If a deal can be reached between all three levels of government, construction could begin in 2014 and the corridor would be finished by 2018, said Winnipeg Transit director Dave Wardrop.

Pending council approval of an alignment recommendation early next year, the second leg would run west through the Parker neighbourhood and then south along a Manitoba Hydro corridor. A study by Dillon Consulting concluded this seven-kilometre route offers more benefits and fewer drawbacks than installing a busway along the CN Letellier line, parallel to Pembina Highway.

Although this western dogleg is longer, Winnipeg Transit maintains it will create less traffic disruption in Fort Garry -- and allow buses to run at higher speeds -- because it will cross fewer streets. The western route should also be cheaper and have more room for new housing developments that could generate property taxes to offset construction costs, according to material presented at open houses in October.

The redevelopment of the former Southwood Golf Course land on the U of M campus may also allow this route to terminate directly at Investors Group Field, the new football stadium slated to open in 2013. The original intention was for the transitway to be finished in time to service the stadium.

But there are fee complaints among transit proponents on city council about a deal to complete the line by 2018.

"I've always said the city has to take the lead in showing our commitment. This is a very positive step," said Fort Rouge Coun. Jenny Gerbasi, praising Katz for pledging Southwest Transitway funds and starting on the East Transitway. "If you're expecting to get other funders on board, we have to get ourselves on board."


Movement on Phase Two?

Proposed second leg of the Southwest Transitway:

PROJECTED COST: $350 million FUNDING: The city has committed $137.5 million. Ottawa has been asked to contribute $75 million. The province has committed $116.7 million.

ROUTE: Pending council approval in 2013, west from Pembina Highway through the Parker neighbourhood then south along the Manitoba Hydro right-of-way that separates the Fort Garry Industrial Park from the Beaumont and Maybank neighbourhoods.

LENGTH: Seven kilometres

MAXIMUM SPEED: 80 km/h

NEW INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIRED: One bridge over Pembina Highway and a pair of rail underpasses near Jubilee Avenue; one long rail overpass at Sugar Beet lands south of Chevrier Boulevard; five new rapid-transit stations; and a bike-and-pedestrian path

STREET CROSSINGS: Four in total. New traffic signals are required in Parker lands and at McGillivray Boulevard; transit-priority gates required at Clarence Avenue and Chevrier Boulevard.

CONSTRUCTION: Could begin in 2015 and wind up in 2018 if a deal is reached next year.

[Fozzy33]

The city plans to spend $7.4-million to widen part of Molson Street to help reduce traffic congestion.

This afternoon, officials announced the funds will be included in the 2013 budget and two lanes will be added on Molson Street between Munroe Avenue and just north of Concordia Avenue.

Mayor Sam Katz said there have been hundreds of new homes built in the area, and turning left from Molson Street to Concordia Avenue currently causes traffic delays.

The move is also expected to improve travel for ambulance patients en route to Concordia Hospital.

[Fozzy33]

Rocky road for bridge's future

Councillor raises issue of moving CP yards in light of pricey repairs



The deteriorating condition of the Arlington Bridge has sparked a renewed call to move the Canadian Pacific Railway yards.

On Friday, the city released a report that reveals the bridge is "functionally obsolete" and cannot be fully rehabilitated.


The city has spent $15 million to repair the bridge in the last decade because the structural steel on an approach ramp has deteriorated.

The city will close the overpass for six weeks in July and August when the bridge deck undergoes extensive repairs.

The city plans to replace or decommission the bridge by 2020 and it will launch a design study this year to determine whether it makes sense to replace the bridge at the same location, a different location, or improve other routes so the Arlington Bridge can be removed.

Public works chairman Coun. Dan Vandal (St. Boniface) said the city needs to start work on the design study quickly, and also have a serious discussion about the future of the CP yards. Vandal said moving the yards has never been more than a "pipe dream" but it may be time to see if it can be done. The 130-year-old yards run between Main Street and McPhillips Street and separate a swath of the North End from neighbourhoods south of the tracks.

"Ideally, everyone would like to see the rail yards gone, moved outside the city, and have that land available for development and recreation, and you wouldn't have to build another bridge," Vandal said. "I think we need to have a discussion about that. Now's the time to do it."

Winnipeg seriously considered moving the rail yards in the 1970s, but the idea was shelved after several years of political wrangling among three levels of government over the costs of relocation. Since then, there has been little progress. There have been no recent estimates on how much it would cost to relocate the yards and remediate and redevelop the land.

Meanwhile, cities such as Edmonton and Montreal have successfully redeveloped their rail yards, and work is underway in Regina to do the same.

Social Planning Council of Winnipeg executive director Dennis Lewycky said the Arlington Bridge could be a catalyst for the rail-yard redevelopment, particularly if the city offers CP the money it would otherwise spend on building a new bridge. He said railway officials know various levels of government are interested in the idea since other major cities have moved rail yards.

Last year, the council tried to generate political interest in examining the issue and offered to examine what could be built there and how much it might cost.

CP Rail spokesman Kevin Hrysak said Friday the firm has no intention of moving the yards outside the city.

"It's going to take political will," Lewycky said.

Other members of city council say Winnipeg should focus on what it can control: building a new bridge.

Coun. Mike Pagtakhan (Point Douglas), whose ward includes the Arlington Bridge, said city politicians have talked about doing something with the rail yards during his 11 years on council, and he does not think anything will happen by the time Winnipeg has to decommission or replace the bridge. Pagtakhan said the structure is an important link between the inner city and the North End. He would like to see a new bridge accommodate transit buses and walking and cycling paths.

Pagtakhan said building a new bridge would not hamper future efforts to redevelop the rail yards.

"We can continue to talk about it, but at the end of the day between now and 2020 I don't believe it's going to happen," he said.


Arlington Bridge

Built: 1910/1911;

Traffic: 15,400 vehicles travel on the bridge a day;

Annual maintenance cost: $1.5 million. Set to be closed for extensive repairs for six weeks this summer;

Current condition: Poor;

What's going to happen with the bridge? The city plans to replace or decommission the bridge by 2020. This year, Winnipeg will start a design study to see whether it makes sense to replace the bridge in the same spot, a different spot, or improve other routes so the overpass can be removed.

-- source: City of Winnipeg



















.

[Fozzy33]

The city's Executive Policy Committee has voted in favour of the suggested route to complete the Southwest rapid transit route.

The city's public works committee unanimously passed a proposed dogleg through Charleswood for Phase II of rapid transit at the end of February.

"This is the least expensive option in front of us ... with the least impact on citizens," said Coun. Dan Vandal.

In January, public works delayed its first vote on the route to allow a month for public consultation.

The proposed route Southwest Transitway extends west through the Parker Lands, then heads southeast following a Manitoba Hydro corridor. Transit has said the option would cost $20 million less, cause less neighbourhood disruption and be more efficient than an alternative route heading south along the CN Letellier line.

The $350-million completion of the Southwest Transitway is expected to be the largest capital project in Winnipeg history, for which the city has committed $137.5 million in 2014 and 2015 capital budget forecasts.

If funding falls in place on time, including requests for $137.5 million from the province and $75 million from the feds, Transit hopes to begin construction in 2015.

Coun. John Orlikow called for extensive study of the options, stating development down Pembina Highway might be better. He said council was rushing to get the route completed, likely to ensure funds flow from other levels of government.

Transit will still pursue a functional design study on the route, which will include environmental impact, final costs and several other elements of the new route.

[WinnipegPatriot]

The potential in Winnipeg is so great, but, alas, there is no leadership or visionairies. Between the pathetic centreport to the lack of will to move these rail yards, to the numerous decaying neighborhoods in the city...ugh, how depressing!!!

[WinnipegPatriot]

Underpass project set to close Plessis at crossing

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our...195401991.html

[Cyrodill]

Posted on another Site Today by me

BRT - Boat Rapid Transit
This is where I want Winnipeg to go..Jump into the great Unknown! It's possible. Although River Level Issues/Flooding/water Levels are an issue right?
Gotta get me my Boat Pass:..I can bring my own LifeJacket

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The first phase of BRT is expected to launch in May of 2013, with a fleet of 20 8-passenger vessels. The vessels themselves, capable of reaching speeds up to 70 knots, will each have the ability to attach a passenger-coach via tow-rope capable of carrying an additional 10 passengers during peak service hours, though safety regulations prohibit exceeding 30 knots with coach in-tow.
In conjunction with the launch of the BRT service, Winnipeg Transit will be able to drastically reduce regular bus service down the following corridors:
· Main street
· Henderson highway
· Pembina Highway
· Portage avenue (routes between Main and Moray)
Barring any major complications, the University of Manitoba will be accessible exclusively by BRT by early 2014.

Published on Monday, 04 June 2012 13:16 Written by Craig J. Ward
http://www.weekthusfar.com/index.php...transit-option

[WinnipegPatriot]

Molson/Panet twinning gets thumbs up

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our...205434381.html

[bomberjet]

Originally Posted by WinnipegPatriot

Molson/Panet twinning gets thumbs up

I use this route daily and I generally liked the concept. Pretty straight forward stuff. Sure will be a huge improvement over what's there now. Also will provide better access to and from the Hospital on Concordia from the south side.

I was disappointed to see that they will never be twinning Molson from Concordia to Grassie. Only removing ditches, etc. in the future, approx. 8-10 years from what Neil Myska was saying at the open house. I guess it's not as busy now, but with all the development going on east of Lag, that'll change soon. Only time will tell.