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A summary of our engagement planning process, as well as the full report , are now available online.

Thank you to all those who took the time to provide feedback on the previous Marion Grade Separation and Widening Study public engagement process. As we look to begin the public engagement process for the Marion Dugald Transportation Study, we would like to share the results of the conversations we had with you.

Background

In 2011, the City of Winnipeg Transportation Master Plan (TMP) recommended that a functional design study be conducted to review the alignment for a widening and grade separation of Marion Street.

On July 18, 2012, Council adopted the Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works’ recommendation to direct the Public Service to engage a consultant for the purposes of conducting a “Marion Street Widening/Grade Separation and Improvements Functional Design.”

In 2013 Council approved funding for and directed the Public Service to conduct a functional design study to investigate the widening and grade separation of Marion Street.

On March 25, 2015, Council adopted the recommendation of the Executive Policy Committee (EPC) to include this project as part of the list of priorities for the Building Canada Fund.

A functional design study was conducted as directed by Council between the spring of 2014 and winter of 2015. The study concluded that of five functional design options presented to the public, Option 2 was the recommended option with a Class 4 Estimate of $566M (City portion is $278M). There was significant and vocal community opposition to this proposed plan due to excessive cost, scale, and intrusiveness of the project in the community.

Due to both affordability and project risk, the Public Service did not recommend moving forward with this option for the Marion Street widening and grade separation project. Rather, the Public Service recommended that an additional study be undertaken to identify alternatives that are more affordable to the City, have less impact on property acquisition, and fit within the existing Council approved debt strategy. Council approved this recommendation, and the Public Service is moving forward with a study of Marion Street and Dugald Road to improve transportation that does not include grade separation or widening.

On November 16, 2016, Council concurred in the Public Service’s recommendation to take the Marion Grade Separation and Widening as information only, and directed the Public Service to investigate lower-cost alternatives to the road alignment that improve traffic operations, safety and enhance pedestrian and cycling accommodation without the inclusion of grade separations or widening along the relevant roads.

Read the report to Council to learn more about the recommendation.

As a result, the City has initiated the new Marion Dugald Transportation Improvement Study to explore different transportation options in the study area. The City recognizes the need to engage citizens meaningfully and took the opportunity to engage the community. The City’s Office of Public Engagement has recently carried out consultations with community members to inform the next stage of the study. A report and summary of the public engagement planning activities are now available online. The input from the engagement planning process informed the development of the public engagement plan for the Marion Dugald Transportation Improvement Study, and the City and consultant will work together to ensure the engagement plan is carried out in accordance with the feedback provided.

To learn more about the engagement process that was undertaken for the Marion Street Widening and Grade Separation study, please read the Public Engagement Executive Summary Report. Your comments on improving this process in the next round of engagement will be critical to ensuring we provide a meaningful engagement process for those interested in the study.

If you would like to stay updated on City of Winnipeg public engagement events, follow the City on Facebook and Twitter or sign up for our newsletter.