Pedestrian and bike paths worth $6M approved

Winnipeg will be getting $6-million worth of new cycling and pedestrian paths, and corridors and sidewalks this year.

Members of the public works committee Tuesday approved a modified pedestrian and cycling action plan, the first year of a 20-year, $330-million strategy to construct an active transportation netwwork across the city.

"This is the first time we've ever had a strategy so there will be hiccups and we're learning, but I think the councillors' concerns were addressed," said Coun. Janice Lukes, chairwoman of the public works committee.

The plan, which still must be approved by council, includes:

$1.3 million for recreational walkways and bicycle paths;

$1 million for new regional sidewalks;

$300,000 for new non-regional sidewalks;

$1.5 million for bicycle corridors.

$1.7 million for studies and related work

The 20-year strategy faced stiff opposition from some councillors before it was approved in July 2015. Critics said many of the maps were wrong, and corridors and pathways were proposed without resident feedback.

But Lukes, who shepherded the strategy through council, said at the time the strategy was a guideline which would be implemented on an annual basis with input from area councillors and with council's approval.

Lukes (South Winnipeg-St. Norbert) kept her word at committee Tuesday, where the committee addressed councillors' concerns with this year's plans and modified the administration report before passing it on for council consideration.

Coun. Brian Mayes said he was opposed to a multi-modal corridor study along St. Anne's Road, from St. Mary's Road to the Perimeter, citing local business opposition to building a cycling corridor. The committee agreed to Mayes' compromise to use the $250,000 allocated to the St. Anne's study for a study of a possible cycling corridor along Des Meurons and another linking River Road to Rivergate Drive.

One of the strongest critics of the 20-year strategy was Coun. Jeff Browaty, who appeared at the committee Tuesday to oppose a $450,000 study to identify the location of a new cycling and pedestrian bridge over the Red River somewhere between Kildonan Settlers Bridge and Harry Lazarenko bridge. Browaty said that study would be a waste of funds and preferred the administration explore how to modify the sidewalks on Kildonan Settlers bridge to accommodate cyclists and to improve the corridor along Kildonan Drive.

Lukes said the administration had consulted councillors before bringing the report to the committee but said Tuesday's changes were made to address the councillors' concerns.

Lukes said the 2017 plan will be reviewed as part of the budget process.

aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca

Highlights of the 2016 pedestrian and cycling action plan

SIDEWALKS

$564,770 -- New sidewalk along the west side of Smith Street between Graham Avenue and St. Mary Avenue.

$225,000 -- New sidewalk on the west side of Lagimodiere Boulevard between East Mint Place and Burmac Road.

$205,000 -- Sherbrook Street enhancements for pedestrian crossing and transit stops, from Ellice Avenue to Cumberland Avenue.

CYCLING CORRIDORS

$475,000 -- Forks to Assiniboine Avenue

$350,000 -- North East Pioneers Greenway to Archibald Street

$74,120 -- Production of a print and digital Winnipeg cycling map

$200,000 -- A study to determine the best location for pedestrian/cycling bridge over the Seine River

RECREATIONAL WALKWAYS AND BIKE PATHS

$892,000 -- Construction of Phase 1 of the Northwest Hydro Corridor/McPhillips Greenway corridor

$767,000 -- Construction of a pathway linking St. John's Park to south of Redwood Avenue, includes purchase of private property.