Underpass expected to open to traffic on August 19, 2019
Winnipeg, MB – Modern and efficient community infrastructure like roads and bridges contributes to a high quality of life by helping connect people to jobs, supporting local businesses, and ensuring Canadians spend less time on the road and more time with their families.
Today, the Honourable Jim Carr, Minister of International Trade Diversification from the Government of Canada, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, joined Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman to announce the opening of the Waverley Street Underpass to traffic, expected to occur on Monday, August 19, 2019.
Initially budgeted at an estimated $155 million, this project is expected to be completed ahead of schedule and under budget at a total cost of approximately $98 million. Thanks to effective project management and project delivery, the three levels of government will share approximately $57 million in savings.
On August 19, traffic on Waverley Street is expected to begin operating through the newly constructed underpass for the first time. Once this major project milestone is achieved, motorists, pedestrians and cyclists will no longer experience train delays at the railway crossing. Following the underpass opening, major roadworks will still be required to remove the detour road and reconstruct a portion of the Taylor Avenue intersection.
The extensive, multi-faceted project includes the replacement of the existing at-grade railway crossing at Waverley Street and Taylor Avenue with an underpass. The project also includes the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Waverley Street as well as the widening of Taylor Avenue between Waverley Street and Lindsay Street to four lanes. Construction is expected to conclude this fall, with art installation and landscaping to be completed in spring 2020. Motorists may experience traffic delays while construction is ongoing.
Once fully constructed later this fall, the project will improve traffic safety, mobility and capacity, as well as enhance pedestrian and cycling opportunities.
Quotes
“These vital improvements to Waverley Street will greatly reduce congestion in Winnipeg. Keeping people and goods moving smoothly is essential to helping our businesses compete and improving Canadians’ quality of life. Thanks to this underpass people can spend more time at their destination and less time getting there.”
The
Honourable Jim Carr, Minister of Minister of International Trade
Diversification from the Government of Canada on behalf of the Honourable
François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
“After years and years of talk, I’m happy we were able to finally get the
Waverley Underpass built,” said Mayor Brian Bowman. “This incredible project
came in ahead of schedule and under budget and will greatly improve the flow of
traffic and move people more efficiently in an area of our city that has
experienced tremendous growth.”
Brian Bowman, Mayor of the City of Winnipeg
Quick facts
- The governments of Canada and Manitoba are contributing up to $29 million each to this project through the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component – National and Regional Projects.
- The City of Winnipeg will cover the balance of the costs for this $98 million project. CN is also contributing $9.5 million to the City’s share of the project.
- Approximately 30,000 vehicles will travel through the newly constructed underpass on a daily basis.
- Prior to the new underpass, motorists would have to wait for between 35 and 40 trains that passed through this rail crossing every day.
- This project involved the excavation of over 100,000 cubic metres of earth, and the construction of over 12 lane-kilometres of new or rehabilitated pavements.
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