Back

The Eastern Corridor Study started in early 2017 and was put on hold in the summer of 2019 to ensure alignment with the Winnipeg Transit Master Plan.

More information and opportunities to provide feedback are available at winnipeg.ca/transitmasterplan

Project Timeline

Background The City of Winnipeg’s Transportation Master Plan, approved by City Council in 2011, identifies Rapid Transit as playing an essential role in satisfying the mobility needs of Winnipeggers. The Eastern Rapid Transit Corridor has been identified as high priority, largely related to the need to plan a Louise Bridge upgrade/replacement, and whether or not the new bridge will include BRT. The Eastern Corridor Study is a multifaceted, multi-year undertaking. Key elements and outcomes include: Defining the Corridor – Developing, evaluating, and recommending a conceptual alignment of the Eastern Rapid Transit Corridor with a high level cost estimate. Red River Crossing(s) – Identifying required river crossing(s) to serve the needs of pedestrians, cyclists, transit, and motorized vehicles; and providing an initial conceptual design and high level cost estimate for the recommended river crossing(s), taking into account the potential redevelopment or repurposing of the Louise Bridge. Stadacona Street – While Stadacona Street is not being considered for a BRT route at this time, the Louise Bridge and Nairn Avenue are identified as options, and the City is able to realize efficiencies by designing an extension of Stadacona Street as part of the same process. Transit Garage – Identifying an appropriate location and preparing a conceptual design and cost estimate for a new Transit Garage within the study area. Pedestrian and Cycling – Using the Pedestrian and Cycling Strategies documentation as a starting point, the study will make recommendations for pedestrian and cycling integration along the corridor. This will include identifying an appropriate pedestrian crossing for Nairn Avenue between the Louise Bridge and Archibald, and the development of a design for a Marconi Walkway connecting the north end of the Disraeli pedestrian and cycling bridge to the Brazier/Roch Greenway. Strategic Land Use Plan – Developing a strategy to guide future local area planning efforts, private and public development, and infrastructure investment decisions for the corridor and potential transit stops and stations using transit oriented development principles. This strategy will act as a “road map” for future planning and development priorities, identifying the steps and development tools needed to help create distinctive places with high quality urban design. To support these major components, the study will include: A transportation network analysis

A review of environmental considerations to create a draft Environmental Act Proposal.

A comprehensive review of drainage and utility infrastructure to determine if it is adequate, or if upgrades are required to support development related to the eastern corridor.

A robust public engagement process that will allow the public to participate in the study.

Updates November 2019 – The second phase of engagement for the Winnipeg Transit Master Plan has concluded. Approximately 400 people attended the in-person events, and 3,762 people provided feedback through the online survey. The project team is currently reviewing feedback received, and will report back on how this feedback was considered when the plan is presented for Phase Three public engagement in early 2020. For more information, please visit the project website at: winnipeg.ca/transitmasterplan October 2019 – The Eastern Corridor Study started in early 2017 and was put on hold in the summer of 2019 to ensure alignment with the Winnipeg Transit Master Plan. The Winnipeg Transit Master Plan is now moving forward to the second phase, and based on the work and combined analysis on both the Winnipeg Transit Master Plan and the Eastern Corridor Study, Winnipeg Transit is recommending the alignment of the Eastern Rapid Transit Corridor through the Point Douglas neighbourhood. Specific routing through the neighbourhood is yet to be determined, in consultation with various stakeholders. While Provencher Boulevard is not being recommended for the Eastern Rapid Transit Corridor, the Winnipeg Transit Master Plan is proposing two primary network lines along that corridor. Once complete, the Winnipeg Transit Master Plan will recommend the prioritization of rapid transit corridors, and the Eastern Corridor’s relative priority among the other rapid transit candidate corridors. More information and opportunities to provide feedback available at winnipeg.ca/transitmasterplan

Engage Online UPDATE: December 2018 The public engagement report (June – July 2018) is now available and provides a summary of the public engagement process undertaken during summer 2018, and the feedback collected. Public comments submitted through the online mapping activity during this phase of engagement can be viewed through the link below. The project team is now finishing the analysis that will lead to the selection of a preferred corridor option and the development of conceptual street design options, which will be presented for public feedback in winter 2019. Previous engagement: May – July 2017 Public Input on Opportunity and Criteria Identification

Product: Public Engagement Summary: May – July 2017 July – October 2017 Criteria Development and Refinement

Opportunities and Constraints Analysis

Fatal Flaw Analysis November – December 2017 Public Input on Alignments and Recommended Criteria

Product: Public Engagement Summary: Nov – Dec 2017 January – May 2018 Shortlisting of Corridor Options

Council Acceptance of Evaluation Criteria June 2018 Public Input on Shortlisted Corridor Options

Product: Public Engagement Summary: June – July 2018 Please see the ‘Documents’ tab for further information related to previous engagement activities. Sign up to receive Eastern Corridor Study updates. If you have questions, please contact

Erika Blackie, Eastern Corridor Study Public Engagement Team

204-943-3178 or easterncorridor@wspgroup.com

FAQs Open all | Close all What is the Eastern Corridor Study? The Eastern Corridor Study is a year-long project being undertaken for the City of Winnipeg. It will recommend a preferred route for high-quality rapid transit service between downtown and eastern Winnipeg. In addition to this, the study will identify neighbourhood development opportunities along the transit route, identify related transportation network improvements (for pedestrians, cyclists, transit users, and motorists), and determine preferred locations for river crossings. For more information, see the Background Section. Date added: May 1, 2017 Why is the Eastern Corridor the next rapid transit corridor being studied? The Transportation Master Plan makes the recommendation for an Eastern Rapid Transit Corridor to be the next phase of Rapid Transit following Stage 2 of the Southwest Transitway. This study is the first stage in moving towards implementation of this recommendation. There are several reasons for studying the eastern corridor, including: The Louise Bridge needs to be studied, as preparation needs to take place regarding how it will be replaced. There is the opportunity to incorporate infrastructure for rapid transit into the design for a new bridge; studying both together is preferable to developing a design that makes future rapid transit difficult or more costly to implement.

The Eastern Corridor has the potential to link to future corridors (to the northeast or southeast); determining the alignment of the eastern corridor will be useful in the future when these other corridors are studied.

The eastern area of the City is currently a heavy user of transit service, there is merit in reducing travel time for users in this area at pinch points such as the Louise Bridge. Date added: May 1, 2017 How can I get involved? Every stage of public engagement will include community events such as workshops and information sessions. The Eastern Corridor Study will also feature a number of online engagement tools, including an idea wall, an online mapping tool, and other opportunities for feedback and involvement. See the Engage section of the website. Date added: May 1, 2017 Has the route already been determined? No. The Eastern Corridor Study will recommend a preferred route for high-quality rapid transit service between downtown and eastern Winnipeg. Members of the public will be asked to provide input on their preferred route alignment based on what issues and considerations are important to them. Date added: May 1, 2017 Where will stations be located? Station locations have not been determined yet. Potential station locations will be determined through the comprehensive study – the corridors and the locations of stations relate to one another. Input from the public throughout the study will be incorporated into decision-making for stations. Date added: May 1, 2017 When will construction start? This is to be determined. This study is a functional study, which is the first stage in the process of constructing the corridor. Further study and analysis will be required before the project moves forward. The recommended alignment will need Council approval and then review with other levels of government before funding can be allocated to further study or design work. Date added: May 1, 2017 Will you be replacing the Louise Bridge? The Louise Bridge, like the Arlington Bridge is nearing the end of its service life. The bridge is narrow and has weight and size restrictions on the traffic it can handle. The Eastern Corridor Study will include an assessment of the Louise Bridge to determine its future function. The study will also consider the broader transportation impacts of a new rapid transit corridor and determine where and what type of river crossings will be needed to support the new rapid transit corridor and the broader transportation network improvements. This will allow the City to determine whether the current structure should be maintained or replaced. The study will determine an initial conceptual design and a high-level cost estimate for the preferred outcome of the Louise Bridge. Input from the public will assist the decision-making process. Date added: May 1, 2017 When will you show a recommended route? A recommended route will be presented for community feedback in early 2018. However, before we get to that point, the study will be looking for public input to develop route options and the criteria by which to evaluate them, then to provide feedback on route options and their impact. Date added: May 1, 2017 What areas of the city are included in the Eastern Corridor Study? The Eastern Corridor Study involves many neighbourhoods in central and east Winnipeg. More information about the study area can be found on the Eastern Corridor Study area map. The initial study area includes these neighbourhoods (subject to change during the study).



Downtown North Point Douglas South Point Douglas North Saint Boniface Central Saint Boniface Tissot Glenelm Munroe West Chalmers Valley Gardens Munroe East Talbot-Grey East Elmwood Tyne-Tees Mission Industrial Eaglemere Kildonan Crossing Grassie Peguis Regent Mission Gardens Dugald Meados Radisson Victoria West Melrose Transcona Yards Kern Park Kildare-Redonda Date added: May 1, 2017 How are you considering impacts to the environment? Preparatory information for use in an Environmental Assessment will be conducted. The assessment will review in-field ecological assessments for species of conservation concern, ecological valuation of trees, wooded areas, issues related to riverbanks, and wetlands. Date added: May 1, 2017 Will new pedestrian and cycling routes be part of the Eastern Corridor Study? Pedestrian and cycling facilities are an important part of the study, and will be considered in all route and design options. In addition to the provision of a facility along the route, the study will identify a full range of pedestrian and cycling network improvements that support local access and integrate other planning efforts, such as the City’s Pedestrian and Cycling Strategies. Date added: May 1, 2017 What will the format of the Transit route/corridor be? Will it be a separate transitway like the Southwest Transitway? Can’t it be on-street, or a combination/hybrid of both? The study will look at various options. On-street options and separated options each have pros and cons, and this will be taken into consideration when developing and investigating options/concepts Date added: May 1, 2017 What is the history of the Eastern Corridor Study? The Eastern Corridor, as an element of a future rapid transit network has been “on the books” at the City for a long time. Plan Winnipeg, from 1980 showed an “Exclusive Transit Corridor” between the downtown and eastern Winnipeg, one of several recommended corridors.

The Plan Winnipeg 2020 Vision, released in 2000, included a map showing a “High-Speed Transit Network” corridor between the downtown and Transcona running through St. Boniface as one of a number of such corridors.

A 2006 functional design study, completed for Winnipeg Transit, outlined a number of conceptual alignments for the Eastern corridor. This study did not include public engagement, analysis of environmental or drainage impacts. The City of Winnipeg’s Transportation Master Plan, approved by City Council in 2011, identifies transit as playing an essential role in satisfying the mobility needs of Winnipeggers. The plan recommends that an Eastern Rapid Transit Corridor be the next phase of Rapid Transit following Stage 2 of the Southwest Transitway. Date added: May 1, 2017 Why is Winnipeg proceeding with bus rapid transit ( BRT ) over other options such as light rail transit ( LRT )? BRT can travel on both regular city streets and the high-speed transitway, allowing far greater integration with existing transit routes. BRT infrastructure is designed with the growth of the city in mind, and can be transitioned to LRT as required. The Eastern Corridor Study, like other rapid transit infrastructure in Winnipeg, will include design considerations to allow for transition from BRT to LRT in the long-term. Date added: May 1, 2017 How can I stay informed about the study? Join our email list to be notified about upcoming engagement activities, and monitor the Engage page for public engagement opportunities throughout the year. Date added: May 1, 2017 What if I have a question or an idea or concern to share? We want to hear from you. There will be numerous public engagement opportunities throughout the study. Please monitor the Engage page for public engagement opportunities throughout the year.

The team will review e-mail sent in. Please contact us at easterncorridor@wspgroup.com. Date added: May 1, 2017