This looks like a big email - and it is - but contains VERY significant active transportation - election - information - please circulate widely.
Last night, at 5:00 pm - in Erna Braun's (MLA Rossmere) campaign office - Premier Selinger, flanked by NDP candidates from Concordia, Elmwood, Radisson, and River East announced to 20+ area residents - that if re-elected - they would build a safe pedestrian / cycle crossing (bridge) over the Perimeter Hwy from the Northeast Pioneers Greenway into the RM of St. Paul. See Sigrun Bailey's (Co-Chair of River East Neighborhood Network - Trail Committee) email below. Sigrun, a resident of NK, was in attendance at the event.
Some may have a hard time understanding the significance of this safe pedestrian / cycle crossing over the Perimeter - There is a BIG PICTURE VISION to what seems to be a whole bunch of bits and pieces - I'll try to briefly summarize:
CentrePort: http://www.winnipegtrails.ca/2011/08/22/centreports-impact-on-active-transpo rtation/ - as per the Manitoba's Director of Highway Planning & Design, and with the development of CentrePort - "over the next 20 years, traffic volume on the Perimeter Hwy is projected to go from 14,500 to 40,000 vehicles / day". Infrastructure changes on the Perimeter Hwy are occurring around the city to develop the Perimeter into expressway. In the north east quadrant, the interchange of the Perimeter and Hwy 59 is undergoing an $80 - $100 Million overhaul projected to be completed by 2017.
RM of East St.Paul: - according to the latest census, East St. Paul is one of the fastest growing municipalities in Manitoba.
Birds Hill Provincial Park: - the most heavily used Provincial Park in Manitoba - Conservation / Park officials identify need to reduce 'stress' on the park and support trail systems leading out of park onto floodway
Northeast Pioneers Greenway: http://www.winnipegtrails.ca/trails-maps/northeast-pioneers-greenwaynew/ - the most heavily used trail in Manitoba - primarily used by area residents
Economic Benefits Provincial Cycle Tourism: - see story Margo Goodhand, Free Press editor wrote last Saturday on cycle tourism & economic benefits in Wisconsin: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/travel/Wisconsins-cycling-secrets--13002077 3.html - see economic benefits in the Province of Quebec from the 'RouteVert' cycle tourism route: page 16 in Greater Strides report to Province of Manitoba: http://www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/pdf/atag_report6.pdf - google economic benefits and you will see countless other examples.
The Long and Winding Trail from Winnipeg to Birds Hill Provincial Park & Lockport: 2004 - Red River Floodway Expansion is announced: see Page 3 http://www.floodwayauthority.mb.ca/pdf/floodnewsletter_all.pdf 2004 - Rivers West enables formation of Red River Floodway Trails Coalition 2004 -2006 Multiple studies investigating recreational opportunities were conducted by the Manitoba Floodway Authority http://www.floodwayauthority.mb.ca/reports.html & Rivers West http://www.riverswest.ca/index.cfm?pageID=5 and see page 5 http://www.floodwayauthority.mb.ca/pdf/newsletter_08_11_05.pdf 2006 - John Buhler engage City of Winnipeg in purchase of Marconi rail line - to convert into multi use trail 2007 - at grand opening of the 'Northeast Pioneers Greenway' then Premier Doer states this trail will ultimately connect to Birds Hill Provincial Park. 2007 - The Forks /Paul Jordan (then co-chair of Winnipeg Trails Association), Bike to the Future, River West, River East Neighborhood Network - Trail Committee initiate discussions with RM St. Paul for 'The Forks National Historic Site to Birds Hill Provincial Park' trail connection
2008 - Phase one of Winnipeg's Rapid Transit is announced - and will include separate active transportation / cycling pathway 2009- construction of asphalt trails on floodway begin - note an asphalt trail from Birds Hill Park to Lockport is also being constructed (attached is a DRAFT - which will be finalized and on WTA website next week) 2010 - following strong advocacy, City of Winnipeg includes separated pedestrian /cycle bridge for Northeast Pioneers Greenway users to SAFELY cross over the $100M Chief Peguis Expansion (Chief Peguis Expansion another key link in CentrePort transportation route) construction of pedestrian / equestrian / cycle bridge over 59 Hwy connecting Birds Hill Park to Floodway begins summer 2011 - Manitoba Floodway Authority highlights overall recreational plan Page 3 http://www.floodwayauthority.mb.ca/pdf/floodway_nwsltr_eng_2011.pdf summer 2011 - Winnipeg Trails Association, River East Neighborhood Network - Trail Committee, Prairie Pathfinders Hiking Club, One Green City, & Bike to the Future launch Winnipeg to Birds Hill Awareness Campaign - citing the need to include SAFE active transportation in the PTH 101 / PTH 59 interchange $80-$100 M rehabilitation fall 2011 - NDP promise 'if re-elected' they will build a safe pedestrian / cycle crossing over the Perimeter Hwy.
The Future: The dream is to go from University of Manitoba through the city of Winnipeg to Birds Hill Park and then to Lockport on a completely separate multi use pathway - and while there are still a few missing pieces that need to come together - I and many others are confident this will occur within the next 5 years. Yet to occur: In Winnipeg: - a separate pathway from Chalmers to The Forks (route has been identified) - safe / civilized pedestrian cycling crossing on Osborne under the rail line (in City of Winnipeg 5 year budget projection and will have to occur as rail line needs maintenance overhaul) - Phase Two of Rapid Transit to U of M (also to include an active transportation pathway) - perhaps in the next 4 years? the Stadium's location at U of M is helping move Phase Two up the ladder of priorities In RM Birds Hill: - asphalting / upgrading of Raleigh / Gateway route which is currently on roadway Floodway: - Dunning Road crossing is currently seasonal and related to floodway levels - a separated year around route is being investigated by Manitoba Floodway Authority Lockport: - the trail is being constructed and refinements into Lockport will occur in the next few years.
In Summary: Many many folks & organizations have been working towards this vision. HUGE HUGE thank yous to all who have helped the vision get this far. BUT The development of CentrePort - positioning Manitoba as a 'global transportation hub' - will impact countless pedestrian and cycling crossings in the year to come- in Winnipeg and in Manitoba. There are opportunities to enable SAFE pedestrian and cycling crossings in the development of this trucking network - as we've are seeing in the Forks / Birds Hill / Lockport / Floodway trail BUT STRONG / NON STOP / HARD CORE ADVOCACY was required - I know I've been involved since 2004 and it hasn't been an easy ride at all to get to last night's announcement!
IF the Province had a Provincial Active Transportation policy - gov't would consider active transportation when they are investing billions of tax payers dollars into roadways. Pedestrians and cyclists would have far higher odds of having SAFE transportation routes and crossings.
We have yet to hear a FORMAL commitment from any party stating they would implement an Provincial Active Transportation Policy. When candidates come knocking - please stress the need for a Provincial Active Transportation policy. Provincial Election Active Transportation details can be found here: http://www.winnipegtrails.ca/2011/08/23/provincial-election-2011/
Janice Lukes Manager, Special Projects - Winnipeg Trails Winnipeg Trails Association 235-614 Des Meurons Street Winnipeg, MB R2H 2P9 Cell (204) 952-4222 Fax (204) tel:%28204%29%20237-4618 237-4618 mailto:jlukes@riverswest.ca jlukes@riverswest.ca http://www.winnipegtrails.ca/ www.WinnipegTrails.ca
Member of City of Winnipeg Active Transportation Advisory Committee Chair, Province of Manitoba Active Transportation Advisory Group
-----Original Message----- From: Sigrun Bailey [mailto:sigrun.bailey@gmail.com] Sent: September 20, 2011 6:58 PM To: undisclosed-recipients: Subject: Important AT Announcement
Today Premier Selinger along with all of the NDP candidates in the NE quadrant of the City promised to build a safe crossing (flyover) of the Northeast Pioneers Greenway at the Perimeter Hwy. If they get elected it will be one of the first things they do!
It will be a joyous day for AT. Our vision of connecting The Forks National Historic Site to Birds Hill Provincial Park is one step closer to reality.
Sigrun RENN-TC, Co-Chair
