The proposed design of one portion of Route 90 at Academy Road. (CITY OF WINNIPEG)
The City of Winnipeg has released a design proposal on the future of Route 90.
The busy north-south thoroughfare has been the subject of redevelopment for years and is often bottlenecked during rush hour.
The city began a study in 2018 with the goal of improving traffic flow and transportation options on Route 90 between Taylor Avenue and Ness Avenue — a distance of about six kilometres.
A design proposal released on Friday comes after two phases of previous public engagement, traffic data analysis and engineering input. One of the main changes is to widen Route 90 from four lanes to six, while also better connecting the neighbourhoods to the east and west of the roadway.
The total project cost is estimated to be $550 million.
In addition to widening the roadway, the project includes the construction of new pedestrian and cycling infrastructure. The expanded corridor will feature a multi-use pathway on the east side of the road, which will provide a safe and accessible route for cyclists and pedestrians. This is a significant improvement for the area, as currently, there is no dedicated cycling infrastructure on Route 90.
The project also includes a new grade-separated interchange at Ness Avenue, which will improve safety and traffic flow at this busy intersection. The new interchange will feature a pedestrian bridge, allowing safe passage for those on foot or bike.
An online survey has been launched to seek resident input on the proposed design. The survey will be available until June 1, 2023. Residents can also share their input at an open house on May 18 at 6 p.m. at the Viscount Gort Hotel, 1670 Portage Avenue.
