The City conducted a program of extensive public engagement prior to developing the design of the new Disraeli Bridges. A key element of the public consultation process entailed the creation of a Stakeholder Advisory Committee consisting of local residents, business people and neighbourhood/community groups and involved several open houses.
These public consultations made it clear that Winnipeggers wanted the Disraeli Bridges Project to accommodate motorists as well as pedestrians and cyclists, and they wanted the bridges kept open to vehicular traffic throughout construction.
The Provincial and Federal Government funding received for the project was critical in enabling Plenary Roads Winnipeg, the group the City chose to design, build and maintain the new bridges, to meet these expressed wishes of the public while keeping within budgetary constraints.
Here are some of the key aspects of the design and construction plan developed by Plenary:
• A minimum of four lanes will remain open throughout construction during all peak travel times (Monday to Friday 6 am to 6 pm.
• The bridges crossing the Red River and the CP Rail mainline will be replaced with entirely new structures.
• A separate, new Active Transportation bridge will be built utilizing the existing river bridge piers, proving cyclists, pedestrians and other non-motorized users with an easily accessible, functional and attractive cross of the Red River.
• Pedestrians and cyclists will also be able to cross the Red River on the vehicular bridge, which will feature a sidewalk and bike sharrows.
• The bridge and overpass are designed to accommodate future expansion to six lanes, should that option be pursued.
• Improved lighting, landscaping and aesthetic elements such as an under-bridge art gallery and gateway features will create a more attractive and residential feel for the adjoining neighbourhoods.
Some land needs to be acquired for the project. The details of the land acquisition plan are being finalized, and every effort is being made to minimize property disruption. In all, nine residential and 10 commercial/nonresidential properties may be affected, with most involving the acquisition of narrow strips, or slivers, of land. No more than two homes, and possibly none at all depending on final design details, will need to be acquired. The owners of all the affected properties have already been notified, and in accordance with established policy, the City is endeavouring to negotiate the purchase of any required land with the owners.
Representatives from the City and Plenary have recently met and will hold future meetings with neighbourhood groups to keep them up to date on project developments. In addition public information open houses are being scheduled for mid-April
March 27, 2010 at 4:16 am
To whom it may concern,
The so-called Stakeholder Advisory Committee for the Disraeli project was a dismal failure regarding the residents’ representative. He/she/they were supposed to attend special private meetings, but they were also supposed to bring these findings/discussions back to the smaller groups that they represented; as a resident in South Point Douglas I heard nothing at all of these ‘special’ meetings.
It also seems the City has now adopted this SAC process and it has become a new ‘gold standard’ for the ‘insiders’ to follow.
Kudos to no one on the Disraeli project and just about any other issue brought forward by a completely inept council and mayor for the last long six years.
March 30, 2010 at 7:26 am
To whom it may concern,
We had CBC and CKY Tv out at our location today. I am very upset by the recent news that may envolve the sales of our homes. I speak for all home owners on our little dead end of Talbot Ave. We want to keep our Homes Unless the City is prepared to give us a large sum of money for the inconveince of moving and selling of our homes. Not only does this make it tough as most of us are either low income to middle income. None of us want to relocate as we know what the cost of relocating cost, especially in this city. Where as home owners we will beable to get a home that is in a fairly safe community. Where will we get a home that fits in our mortgage pocket. Unless the City comes up with some more options, which we will stand our ground…..I have no further say. My opionion on this is closed. We will fight this to the end.
March 30, 2010 at 8:34 pm
I would like to know How you can have PCL construction tell us at 120 higgins we are going to be expropiated .
Wen we Just moved in here and got occupancy from the city .
We spent over a Million to do so as well repaired the building .
Relocated all our customers .
We will have loss of buisness now if this does happen and are not verry happy at all .
We do not want to move and will fight this. With sales of over a mill this will be a major problem for us .
Verry disapointed the city would conduct them selves like this alowing some one to buy and occupy a building when this is in the works .
Mike Gobeil
March 30, 2010 at 11:55 pm
As an Elmwood resident in the path of the new bridge crossing the Red, I don’t feell all that secure about the fate of my neighbourhood during or after construction.
Especially after a city hall boardroom meeting with the suits. I went to that meeting with an open mind and a hopeful heart….hoping they would provide me with the answers to a few simple questions.
I had two main concerns to get answers to:
1. Was any consideration given to the fact that the residents west of Henderson and south of the Elmwood Cemetary being cornered during construction? As it is now, we have only 2 ways in and out and both will be under construction for up to 2 years. How will that affect life in our peaceful little pocket of homes?
Answer: “we are making no changes to the roadways”….repeated this answer no matter how I rephrased my question. I don’t feel like I got an explanation at all….just the same 8 words over and over.
2. I asked what consideration was given to security on the pedestrian/biking bridge (this was brought up many, many times)
Answer: “good question” and “we’ll have to look into that”
3. What made them decide to put the new bridge to the west of the existing one instead of to the east.
Answer: “we decided to put the bridge to the west of the existing bridge”
March 31, 2010 at 8:21 pm
From the blog post
>• A separate, new Active Transportation bridge will be built utilizing the >existing river bridge piers, proving cyclists, pedestrians and other non->motorized users with an easily accessible, functional and attractive >cross of the Red River.
>• Pedestrians and cyclists will also be able to cross the Red River on >the vehicular bridge, which will feature a sidewalk and bike sharrows.
Curious on the reasons for the duplication of pedestrian/cycling
Will the separate active transportation bridge only be open seasonally?
Is the bike sharrow/sidewalk only temporary so that each side of the bridge will be able to expand to 3 lanes in the future if necessary?
April 4, 2010 at 6:49 am
Extensive public engagement??? Really??? Oh yes that would be the plans put forward. The new plans the city hopes to proceed on have never been shown to anyone. Ooops. Yup public engagement, that worked out well didn’t it?
Why at this meeting that held 4 groups. 3 residents groups but the bike lobby?? Exactly how does this affect them? Are the bike lobby groups going to be expropriated as well? Who knew?
Pretty sounding words, but have to say you failed to dazzle me with your brilliance so now you are trying to baffle me with your bull. By the way I got the shovel out, put it on my garden, should grow well.
April 7, 2010 at 7:47 am
Interesting statements. “The City conducted a program of extensive public engagement prior to developing the design of the new Disraeli Bridges.”
Really? And could someone explain how those consultations resulted in this NEW plan? We REALLY need a separate bridge for “active transportation” AS WELL AS a “bike sharrows”? PLEASE!
Perhaps a renaming is in order. We could loose the Disraeli (and the bogus “Freeway” that makes us a complete laughing stock, even compared to Saskatoon), and call it “Community Consultation Way”.
Winnipeg. One Great City!