Portage and Main will remain closed to pedestrian traffic in downtown Winnipeg. (DOWNTOWN WPG BIZ)
WINNIPEG — Voters have had their say and feel pedestrians should not be able to cross Portage and Main, Winnipeg’s most iconic intersection.
In a plebiscite ballot question posed to voters in Wednesday’s municipal election, 65.43 percent voted “no,” asking: “Do you support the opening of Portage and Main to pedestrian crossings?”
The non-binding plebiscite means barriers will remain at the intersection, which was closed 40 years ago.
Incumbent Mayor Brian Bowman, who championed opening Portage and Main to pedestrians, said he would respect the outcome of the result.
The well-organized, volunteer-run Vote Open campaign was vocal during the election to promote possible economic and social opportunities at the intersection, should the barriers have come down.
