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One small step for pedestrians, one giant leap for Portage and Main
https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2025/06/19/one-small-step-for...
PEDESTRIANS will legally cross Portage Avenue and Main Street before the end of next week.
On Thursday, Mayor Scott Gillingham said the reopening date is set for June 27.
“After (more than) 45 years of debating whether it should be open or not, we’ve ended the debate. It’s opening and I’m getting very positive feedback from people in the downtown, that live in downtown, that work in downtown, that own businesses in downtown. I’m getting positive comments from people who live in the suburbs as well,” said Gillingham.
At last check, the mayor said the project was within its current budget, up to $21.3 million from $13 million to cover its expedited schedule.
The city had aimed to reopen the intersection to foot traffic by the June 29 unveiling of Winnipeg Transit’s new network.
“It was very important, all along, that the pedestrian traffic be able to cross at Portage and Main and the construction related to the opening be completed before we make the change in our transit system,” said Gillingham.
Pedestrian access was halted in 1979. Reopening it has been debated for decades, with 65 per cent of Winnipeggers voting against the idea in a non-binding 2018 plebiscite. Gillingham originally said he would follow the results of that vote but changed his mind after a city report estimated it would cost $73 million to repair the membrane to renovate the underground concourse.
He then supported closing the underground, an idea the city is now studying, and reopening the intersection to pedestrians.
“My thinking has (changed). When I drive through the intersection now, these days, I can’t help but think how welcoming … the space looks to invite people into all of the buildings,” he said.
Coun. Janice Lukes, chairwoman of public works, said she hopes the debate is over. “Many people have a passion for Portage and Main. It’s a very significant hub in our city.”
Opponents of the change argued it wasn’t worth its cost and could create significant traffic delays, while supporters argue the change will help rejuvenate and better connect downtown.
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