- AT-Network - University of Manitoba Mailing Lists

WFP: City waits to clear snow from sidewalks, then does it fast (Feb11'25)
by Beth McKechnie 11 Feb '25

11 Feb '25

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. City waits to clear snow from sidewalks, then does it fast Report finds only Sudbury allows more white stuff to fall before plows come out https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2025/02/10/city-waits-to-cle… WINNIPEG gets more snow than other Prairie cities, gets the least snowpack melt, has the fewest days when salt can melt snow — and takes longer than most cities to begin clearing sidewalks. A new city report shows that four of the eight cities that responded to a query from Winnipeg about their sidewalk snow clearing begin plowing as soon as the snow begins to fall. While Winnipeg waits until five centimetres of snow has accumulated before it begins plowing operations, the report found Edmonton, Steinbach, Quebec City and St. John’s begin plowing at the beginning of a snowfall. The report, being presented to the civic public works committee on Friday, found Winnipeg is behind three other cities: Calgary starts its plow as soon as the snow stops falling; Saskatoon starts when there are two centimetres on the ground; and Ottawa calls out the plows when 2.5 centimetres has accumulated. Only Sudbury, which waits until eight centimetres of snow has fallen, takes longer to start clearing sidewalks. Coun. Janice Lukes, the committee’s chairwoman, said while sidewalk plows aren’t deployed immediately, when they are they can cover the city faster because there are more of them — and she believes they are doing a good job. “Honestly, and I’m almost afraid to say this, I think I’ve had one complaint this year on the sidewalks and bike paths,” Lukes said. “Maybe it is because we have more machines and we’ve put more labour into it. We got 15 (more sidewalk-clearing) machines last year — this is the first year we’re really using them. We are out there sooner. We used to wait a lot longer before we went out.” Winnipeg also has more kilometres of snow to clear than most cities, Lukes said. The report states Winnipeg has 3,466 kilometres of sidewalks and paths, less than Edmonton’s 4,400 kilometres, but far more than Sudbury’s 538. City council made some sidewalk snow-clearing changes last year. While the starting amount for operations to begin had already been reduced from eight centimetres of snow to five centimetres, it was also changed to have a deadline of finishing all residential sidewalks within 36 hours. Disability advocates admit this year the city is doing a good job, but there are still problems. Melissa Graham, executive director of the Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities, said the S(NO)W Plow campaign on Facebook it established with other organizations representing people with disabilities and seniors has received nine complaints this winter compared to 14 last winter. “There are still a lot of people who don’t get out because they feel it is unsafe. The plowing has been good when there has been a dump of snow, but what about the in-between? The snow comes down and it adds up. This impacts people,” Graham said. David Kron, executive director of the Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba, said he agrees the city has done a better job clearing sidewalks so far this year. “I’ve got to give them kudos. I think they’re doing a better job, but there is always room for improvement. It looks better. I think our (snow clearing) policy has been well established — as long as they follow it, ” Kron said. “I know this is a winter city and I’m willing to work with them.” kevin.rollason(a)freepress.mb.ca<mailto:kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca>

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WFP Weekly: Rebuilt bridge enhances transportation options (Feb5'25)
by Beth McKechnie 05 Feb '25

05 Feb '25

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. Rebuilt bridge enhances transportation options https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/correspondents/2025/02/05… As someone who likes to ride a bicycle to get around in St. Vital and Winnipeg, I’d like to take a moment to say thank you to the City of Winnipeg for the quality of the newly renovated St Vital Bridge. With the completion of the freshly rebuilt span connecting St. Vital to Fort Rouge, the experience of people who walk and cycle and roll has been dramatically improved. The bridge has been completely modernized, with wide, high-quality sidewalks and cycling paths on either side, in addition to excellent and comprehensive connecting pathways and facilities on both sides. What was once a dangerous choke point that shoved walkers and cyclists up against each other on a narrow sidewalk has become a wide and accommodating deck. It feels welcoming and safe. No longer will people walking and cycling need to get into awkward conflict, with one or both being pinned to the side to pass each other. Those riding on both sides can now get on and off the bridge from convenient, direct pathways that link both back to the on-street cycling network and into the off-street pathway system. This is the latest major infrastructure upgrade in St. Vital to consider the needs of those young and old that travel the community by bicycle and on-foot. The nearby St. Anne’s Road and Fermor Avenue intersection is now a much-improved shared-use space that makes reasonable accommodation for all modes of transport in a busy location. It is heartening to see that the city is heading in the right direction, after many years of delays in trying to create more freedom and practicality of choice for the public. Thank you to the many leaders, activists, and officials who contributed to delivering this encouraging progress. It’s my fervent hope that this momentum continues in the years to come so that my children and generations to come have safe, empowering, and enjoyable streets and outdoors in Winnipeg. Ryan Palmquist is managing director of Save Our Seine and a community correspondent for St. Vital.

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Winnipeg Free Press: Driver fined for speeding 123 km/h near school
by Patman, David 05 Feb '25

05 Feb '25

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. This is absolutely ridiculous given what happened on Wellington so recently. Driver fined for speeding 123 km/h near school - Winnipeg Free Press<https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2025/02/04/driver-fined-for-….> Driver fined for speeding 123 km/h near school Posted: 3:37 PM CST Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 A motorist has been fined more than $1,000 for driving 123 km/h in a residential zone in Waverley West near a school that was hosting an event on Friday evening. The Pembina Trails School Division alerted families on Tuesday about a police stop that took place shortly after 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 31. "Officers stopped a motorist driving 123 km/h in a 50 km/h zone on North Town Road near Bison Drive, by one of our schools that had an event underway. Buses were in operation, and young pedestrians were present," the school division wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). The intersection of Frontier Trail, which turns into North Town Road, and Bison Drive is under 10 minutes by foot from both Bison Run School and Pembina Trails Collegiate. The former, a kindergarten-to-Grade 8 school, celebrated its second birthday last week. The Winnipeg Police Service confirmed the driver was issued a $1,006 fine and a serious offence notice. The individual will have to attend a hearing in front of Manitoba Public Insurance that could result in a lengthy licence suspension. Police had no further details on Tuesday. "Excessive speed puts everyone at risk. It reduces reaction time, increases stopping distance, and makes collisions more severe," WPS wrote in a statement on social media urging motorists to slow down. fpcity(a)freepress.mb.ca [City of Winnipeg logo]<https://winnipeg.ca/> David Patman (he/him) Manager Transportation Public Works City of Winnipeg Telephone: 204-986-5895 Mobile: 204-806-6471 Email: dpatman(a)winnipeg.ca<mailto:dpatman@winnipeg.ca> Website: winnipeg.ca<https://winnipeg.ca/> Address: 101-1155 Pacific Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3E3P1 Connect with us: [Facebook]<https://www.facebook.com/cityofwinnipeg> [X (Twitter)] <https://twitter.com/cityofwinnipeg> [YouTube] <https://youtube.com/thecityofwinnipeg> [LinkedIn] <https://linkedin.com/company/city-of-winnipeg> [Instagram] <https://www.instagram.com/thecityofwinnipeg/> Confidentiality Notice: The information contained in this message is intended solely for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged information. Any use, dissemination, distribution, copying or disclosure of this message and attachments, in whole or in part, by anyone other than the intended recipient is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and permanently delete the complete message and any attachments. Thank you.

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CBC: Winnipeg Transit puts wheels in motion to replace most of its bus routes this summer (Jan30'25)
by Beth McKechnie 30 Jan '25

30 Jan '25

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. New routes coming to most of the city on June 29, when spine-and-feeder system replaces hub-and-spoke model https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winnipeg-transit-network-overhaul-1…

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WFP: Go with the floe: Ice Cycles back on river trail (Jan25'25)
by Beth McKechnie 25 Jan '25

25 Jan '25

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. Go with the floe: Ice Cycles back on river trail https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/2025/01/24/go-with-the… AN ICE bike rental company hopes to slide to success after mild weather cancelled its 2024 season. Ice Cycles has set up shop under the footbridge at The Forks and will be open for business starting today. The company rents four different models of ice bikes — vehicles with the body of a bicycle or tricycle, minus the front wheel and mounted on a blade similar to the kind used in skates or on a short ski. There are two models for individual riders, a tandem model and a “minivan” model that can accommodate up to two adults and three children. Due to their stability and ease of use, ice bikes are an accessible winter activity for people of all ages, according to co-owner Sinan Leylek. “This is a great way to open up Winnipeg’s famous river trail to people who say, ‘I don’t know how to (skate),’” he said. Ice Cycles is Canada’s first ice bike company. It’s a division of Spark Rentals Inc., an event equipment rental business Leylek started in 2015. The company provides audio-visual equipment, lighting, dance floors and staging equipment for weddings, socials, corporate events and film productions. Leylek discovered ice bikes while travelling in northwestern China in 2014. He decided to bring them to North America in 2021, after Spark’s business suffered due to COVID-19 lockdowns. Ice Cycles opened for business in January 2022. Leylek was disappointed last year’s warm weather meant Ice Cycles couldn’t operate in Winnipeg. The company is also an international wholesaler, though, and Leylek sold a fleet of the bikes to the City of Edmonton. He’s also sold ice bikes to customers in the Yukon, Ontario, Michigan and Vermont. “(We want to) validate the markets in Winnipeg and show you how much fun it is, how successful it can be, and then find other municipalities or rental operators that want to bring it into their own cities,” Leylek said. Ice Cycles kicked off its 2025 season Jan. 11 at the Assiniboine Park duck pond with free rentals as part of the park’s three-day We are Winter celebration. More than 500 people rode the bikes that weekend, according to Lewis Keller, Ice Cycles manager. “People were excited that it was back,” Keller said. “It just really proved that people love something to do (outside), even if it is the winter. We are ‘Winterpeg’ — the snow’s never stopping anyone from going out and having fun.” The bikes were a welcome addition to We are Winter, said Laura Cabak, Assiniboine Park Conservancy communications director. “For people who might not have skates, this was another fun activity we could offer,” she said. Ice Cycles will be open this weekend: today and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. A Captain America impersonator will be on hand for two hours Sunday starting at 2:30 p.m. to take pictures with customers. Walk-ups are welcome, but advanced reservations can be made online at sparkrentals.ca. “I’m hopeful for (good) weather to kind of keep the trail open until mid-March,” Leylek said. The Forks officially opened the Nestaweya River Trail on Dec. 31. The trail is currently four kilometres long and will be extended to its full six km length as soon as today, according to Zach Peters, spokesperson for The Forks. Weather conditions last year meant the trail did not open until late January, with only a small section of it open for nine days. In 2023, approximately 220,000 people used the trail, which was open for 72 days — only three days shy of the longest season (2019). aaron.epp(a)freepress.mb.ca<mailto:aaron.epp@freepress.mb.ca>

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WFP: Demolishing Arlington Bridge a step closer (Jan25'25)
by Beth McKechnie 25 Jan '25

25 Jan '25

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. Demolishing Arlington Bridge a step closer https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2025/01/24/demolishing-arlin… The City of Winnipeg is on track to take on another $20 million in debt to begin the long-awaited replacement of the closed Arlington Bridge. Council’s executive policy committee approved a $22-million plan to demolish the bridge, which is between Logan and Dufferin avenues, and start designing its replacement, on Friday. The plan would also draw $2 million from Winnipeg’s share of federal gas tax revenues this year, pending final council approval of the 2025 budget. Mayor Scott Gillingham confirmed the plan is to eventually replace the bridge. “That’s what we’re moving toward. There’s funds here now to … demolish the decommissioned bridge because we are paying money every year just for maintenance to keep that decommissioned bridge up. There’s also funds there to do design work as a next step to moving forward to building the bridge,” said Gillingham. The Arlington Bridge, which opened in 1912, closed suddenly on Nov. 21, 2023, due to structural concerns, raising questions about its future. In November, the city released a proposal to replace the bridge at its current location. It would cost $166 million, plus up to $27 million more in interest, and require six years to build. Coun. Jeff Browaty, council’s finance chairman, said the bridge is a critical link between communities and must be demolished to protect the rail lines below it. “It’s going to have to come down. We know that. I’ve spoken to engineers … and they’ve suggested if we don’t do it now, it’s going to be more expensive to take it apart later. I think this is a smart investment to deal with it now,” said Browaty. Council’s public works committee had approved a motion that would earmark $30 million of future years’ funding for the bridge, along with a “first charge” to allow $20 million to be spent this year. Gillingham said officials worked to refine early cost estimates after that vote, leading the new total to drop by $8 million. The mayor’s inner circle also approved a call to let Downtown Community Safety Partnership move into the shuttered community connections space at Millennium Library for a two-month pilot project from April 1, 2025 to May 31, 2025. Then there is Millennium for All, an advocacy organization that has fought against reductions in funding for the downtown library. That group wants community connections restored to its previous form and is skeptical of the new proposal. One representative of Millennium for All said the proposal would bring a “police-oriented” presence to the library, which is not what advocates want. Let’s dispense with some of the misconceptions critics could use to derail this worthy idea. DCSP is not a “police-oriented” presence. Its outreach workers are not trained in law enforcement, they are trained to navigate social services and intervene with addictions and mental- health crises. They wear a uniform of sorts, but look a lot more like couriers than police officers. And for the record, the library is absolutely the right place to provide this kind of support. Millennium remains one of the last truly open, public spaces in the downtown. All kinds of people who need help connecting with public services already use the library, which has computers, printers and a host of staff to help people apply for identification, government support, housing and health care. For many newcomers, the library is their first stop in building a new life in Canada. Finally, thanks to the fact that the safety partnership is already widely supported by government and other entities, the proposal to move into space in the Millennium Library comes at no additional cost to the city. It’s win (for the city, which is tight for money), win (for DCSP, which needs a storefront presence), and win for the people downtown who need help navigating public services. Who would try to derail a win-win-win proposition like this? One can only hope that it’s no one. dan.lett(a)freepress.mb.ca<mailto:dan.lett@freepress.mb.ca>

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Active Transportation & Road Safety Town Hall | March 15th
by Beth McKechnie 21 Jan '25

21 Jan '25

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. Councillor Janice Lukes is hosting a public session on active transportation and road safety. You’re invited to join Councillor Lukes, the Public Works committee – Councillors Sharma, Chambers and Eadie, and members of the public service to discuss upcoming Active Transportation and Road Safety projects. See an at a glance AT Funding<https://janicelukes.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/AT-Funding-2025.pdf> A presentation from the public service will be delivered, followed by a robust discussion. Saturday, March 15th Presentation Theatre – RBC Convention Centre 9:00 doors open 9:30 – 10:30 presentation 10:30 – noon, robust discussion Refreshments will be served No need to RSVP – the room holds up to 300 people https://janicelukes.ca/event/active-transportation-road-safety-town-hall/

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FW: Sustainable Safety versus Vision Zero - Free Webinar for CARSP and ITE Canada Members / $50 for non-Members
by Michelle Porter 17 Jan '25

17 Jan '25

An upcoming webinar that you might be interested in. Michelle Michelle M. Porter, PhD, Professor | Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management | Director, Centre on Aging | 338 Isbister Building | University of Manitoba | Winnipeg, MB CANADA | R3T 2N2 | (204) 474-8795 michelle.porter(a)umanitoba.ca<mailto:michelle.porter@umanitoba.ca> | Centre on Aging | University of Manitoba (umanitoba.ca)<https://umanitoba.ca/centre-on-aging/> | https://bsky.app/profile/um-coa-porter.bsky.social | linkedin.com/in/michelle-porter-639890150<https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-porter-639890150> From: CARSP/ACPSER <brenda.suggett(a)carsp.ca> Sent: January 16, 2025 1:43 PM To: Michelle Porter <michelle.porter(a)umanitoba.ca> Subject: Sustainable Safety versus Vision Zero - Free Webinar for CARSP and ITE Canada Members / $50 for non-Members Canadian Association of Road Safety Professionals L'Association canadienne des professionnels de la sécurité routière [https://gallery.mailchimp.com/abd86bfa37a97091490314c26/images/9f1c3699-299…] <https://carsp.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=abd86bfa37a97091490314c26&i…>[https://mcusercontent.com/abd86bfa37a97091490314c26/images/5a2f8614-39c9-d5…]<https://carsp.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=abd86bfa37a97091490314c26&i…><https://carsp.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=abd86bfa37a97091490314c26&i…> Free Webinar for CARSP & ITE Canada members! Feb 27, 2025, 12pm-1:00pm ET This webinar explores Sustainable Safety and Vision Zero, examining their philosophies, best practices, and practical applications. Through a comparative analysis, participants will gain insights into how these frameworks complement one another and the challenges inherent in integrating them. The session includes case studies from Canada, the United States, and the Netherlands, showcasing diverse contexts shaped by varying local needs, cultural factors, and community scales. These examples will illustrate how to adapt these frameworks effectively to specific road conditions, traffic behaviours, and societal norms. The webinar will balance presentation and interaction, with tools like Menti polls and a dedicated Q&A segment to foster engagement and practical takeaways SIGN UP QUICKLY - SPACE IS LIMITED! [https://mcusercontent.com/abd86bfa37a97091490314c26/_compresseds/348f9196-d… Luten Anna is a communication specialist based on North America. Originally hailing from the Netherlands, Anna was the first Bicycle Mayor of Amsterdam and is focussed on urban cycling safety and advocacy to foster sustainable transportation in North America. Anna brings a diverse experience which has seen her collaborate in various industries from fashion and e-commerce to bicycle manufacturers, startups and urban mobility organisations. Anna is an excellent storyteller with a flair for developing implementable strategies, working adeptly from strategy creation through to execution. With her expertise in mobility, she is passionate about improving urban environments for the betterment of communities and cities. [https://mcusercontent.com/abd86bfa37a97091490314c26/_compresseds/0570aead-d… Donaldson Narayan is a transportation planner with seven years of planning and engineering experience in Canada and the Netherlands. He is passionate about rebuilding streets and networks to allow people to move safely and efficiently using all modes of transport. He specializes in the design of intersections including physical design and traffic signal control, with a particular focus on active transportation modes and public transit. Prior to working at Mobycon, he worked as a traffic signal program developer in the Netherlands and in Ontario. He also has experience designing streets through his previous work as a transportation planner for the Toronto Transit Commission. His combination of Canadian and Dutch experience makes him well-suited for adapting European strategies for a North-American context. Registration is open until Feb 26th. Space is limited, so sign up soon to reserve your spot! Register Now!<https://carsp.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=abd86bfa37a97091490314c26&i…> Questions? * Webinar Content Questions: Anna Luten a.luten(a)mobycon.com<mailto:a.luten@mobycon.com?subject=CARSP%20Webinar%20Question> * Technical Difficulties (either during registering or during the webinar): homa.naeini(a)carsp.ca<mailto:homa.naeini@carsp.ca?subject=Webinar%20Question> * about CARSP - Brenda.Suggett(a)carsp.ca<mailto:Brenda.Suggett@carsp.ca?subject=Questions%20about%20CARSP%20> [Twitter]<https://carsp.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=abd86bfa37a97091490314c26&i…> Twitter<https://carsp.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=abd86bfa37a97091490314c26&i…> [LinkedIn]<https://carsp.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=abd86bfa37a97091490314c26&i…> LinkedIn<https://carsp.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=abd86bfa37a97091490314c26&i…> [YouTube]<https://carsp.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=abd86bfa37a97091490314c26&i…> YouTube<https://carsp.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=abd86bfa37a97091490314c26&i…> [Facebook]<https://carsp.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=abd86bfa37a97091490314c26&i…> Facebook<https://carsp.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=abd86bfa37a97091490314c26&i…> Copyright © 2025 CARSP-ACPSER, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email as you have chosen to be on the CARSP email distribution list. Our mailing address is: CARSP-ACPSER 2846 Arrowsmith Court Stevensville, ON L0S 1S0 Canada Add us to your address book<https://carsp.us7.list-manage.com/vcard?u=abd86bfa37a97091490314c26&id=b56b…> unsubscribe from this list<https://carsp.us7.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=abd86bfa37a97091490314c26&i…> update subscription preferences<https://carsp.us7.list-manage.com/profile?u=abd86bfa37a97091490314c26&id=b5…> [Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp]<https://login.mailchimp.com/signup/email-referral/?aid=abd86bfa37a970914903…> ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

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WFP: Committee votes to set aside cash for Arlington Bridge (Jan17'25)
by Beth McKechnie 17 Jan '25

17 Jan '25

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. Committee votes to set aside cash for Arlington Bridge https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2025/01/16/city-committee-vo… THE City of Winnipeg could soon earmark $30 million to complete the first steps toward replacing the Arlington Bridge. On Thursday, council’s public works committee approved a plan to devote future money to fund the demolition of the bridge, which is closed, and complete design work for its replacement. The motion called to authorize $20 million of capital funding in 2026 and to allow the funds to be accessed this year as a “first charge” from that future budget. The proposal also calls to add $10 million to the 2027 capital budget forecast for the project, pending city council and future budget approvals. “It’s a critical link to allow transit to go north and south. … I’m a big trades corridor supporter, and this will allow trucking and more vehicles. … There’s a huge component of active transportation, both north and south of the Arlington Bridge and people will be using it,” said Coun. Janice Lukes, chairwoman of public works, prior to the vote. The Waverley West councillor expects the city would take on debt to fund the work, if council approves the proposal. Lukes said the borrowing is justified, deeming the bridge replacement a “generational project.” “I’ve heard a lot of feedback on the importance of the Arlington Bridge,” she said. The preliminary 2025 budget did not earmark money for the bridge replacement. Coun. Ross Eadie (Mynarski) raised the motion for the funding, arguing the city must get work started to replace the “critical” transportation link. “The motion will be to keep the project moving forward, with continuous design and planning. If we just didn’t fund anything right now, it would lie dead and there would be no work done because there’s just no authority to spend money,” Eadie said. In November, the city released a proposal to replace the bridge at its current location. It would cost $166 million, plus up to $27 million more in interest, and require six years to build. However, the city had just $149 million left to borrow within its council-imposed debt strategy when that estimate was released. Eadie hopes to secure at least some of the funding from the other levels of governments. The Arlington Bridge, which opened in 1912, closed suddenly on Nov. 21, 2023, due to structural concerns. The latest price estimate to replace the bridge plummeted from a 2019 proposal, which was expected to cost $319 million and offer a much wider, three lane structure with two protected one-way bike lanes and two sidewalks. The new cheaper plan would produce a narrower, two-lane bridge with two shared, multi-use active-transportation paths. Council will cast a final vote on the budget on Jan. 29. joyanne.pursaga(a)freepress.mb.ca<mailto:joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca> X: @joyanne_pursaga

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WFP: City hall feels heat, will bury snow plan (Jan17'25)
by Beth McKechnie 17 Jan '25

17 Jan '25

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. Proposal would have delayed clearing efforts City hall feels heat, will bury snow plan https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2025/01/16/city-to-cancel-co… A PILOT project to increase the amount of snow needed to trigger residential street clearing appears set to be dumped from the city’s budget, after public backlash piled up. City council will be asked to delete the project from the 2025 financial blueprint, which was proposed to raise the threshold to plow residential streets from 10 cm to 15 cm, starting in October. That change would have affected snow clearing throughout next winter. Council’s public works committee voted unanimously in favour of a motion to scrap the pilot project on Thursday. Mayor Scott Gillingham said he will support the motion, noting residents expressed concerns the threshold increase would compromise road safety and accessibility. “We had more feedback concerned (with) the snow-clearing pilot idea than we did about the (proposed 5.95 per cent) property tax increase … We have a very high standard of snow clearing and the public has said very clearly that they want that maintained,” said Gillingham. The mayor said some residents complained it currently takes too long to clear residential streets and the change would extend that wait, while others suggested it would make travel more difficult for people with mobility devices. “Even though I tried to express there’s not a service cut, we’re just doing a pilot project, people, I think, really did see it as a service cut,” said Gillingham. The city’s snow-clearing budget is slated to increase by $5.3 million to $45.7 million this year. Actual spending is tied to the work required to follow snow-clearing policies and varies widely depending on weather. The mayor stressed the city must seek out other ways to keep snow-clearing costs under control as inflation boosts the price of snow removal contracts. Coun. Janice Lukes, chairwoman of council’s public works committee, said mobility concerns led her to raise the motion to cancel the project. “The feedback that really resonated with me was … the concern of the public (about) mobility issues on streets where there’s no sidewalks or pathways, because people have to use streets (for all modes of traffic). We will never be able to afford a sidewalk or a pathway on every street in the City of Winnipeg,” said Lukes (Waverley West). The councillor said she supports the idea of “floating” cost-saving measures to gauging public feedback, though she did have concerns about this particular proposal from the start. “We could try this pilot project. But, honestly, I really wanted to cancel it right off the bat,” said Lukes, noting Winnipeggers are passionate about snow clearing. The city hoped the pilot project could avoid one citywide residential snow-clearing operation each year, which typically costs from $2.75 million to $5 million. Potential savings weren’t factored into the 2025 budget, Lukes said. She expects the project will be scrapped when council votes on it. “I don’t think there’ll be a problem with the councillors supporting this motion,” said Lukes. The call to strike the project triggered relief from some residents, including those who represent people with disabilities. “As much as they were calling it a pilot, it felt very much like a budget cut disguised as a pilot … I am glad they are hearing people,” said Melissa Graham, executive director of the Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities. If the pilot project were to go ahead, Graham feared recent changes to improve sidewalk snow clearing would become less effective. “If you can’t cross the street to (reach) the next sidewalk, you effectively can’t use (the sidewalk) anyway. A lot of people in this community stay home, sometimes all winter, because they can’t get around on sidewalks,” she said. “I see this (call to cancel the project) as very good news. I’m glad that they’re getting the message that sidewalk clearing and road clearing isn’t just a perk, it’s something that’s really important to people,” Graham said. David Kron, executive director of the Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba, said he was concerned even a temporary policy change would have forced more people to stay home more often. “It doesn’t take a lot of snow buildup to make a street or a sidewalk inaccessible for folks that use a manual or power chair or, like myself … a cane. It doesn’t take much of a barrier to make somebody have to stay at home during the winter,” said Kron. “If folks can’t get out of their homes, they can’t be part of the community.” A cycling advocate also welcomed the proposed cancellation, since he feared the change would have allowed more snow and ruts to build up. “The ruts at 15 cm are just really hard to navigate and it is a safety hazard,” said Mark Cohoe, executive director of Bike Winnipeg. “(If) you’re in that rut and … try to get out of it, there’s a potential of (falling) down.” Cohoe said the change threatened to hinder the city’s effort to get more people to walk and bike. “We’re a winter city. Having that … ability to get out and to feel like we’re going to have that option of moving around, walking, busing and driving through the city, is really critical to life in Winnipeg. We can’t just shut down for four months (or more) of the year,” he said. City council is expected to cast a final vote on the overall budget on Jan. 29. joyanne.pursaga(a)freepress.mb.ca<mailto:joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca> X: @joyanne_pursaga

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