The Story

Portage and Main in Winnipeg may be the most famous intersection in Canada, and possibly the windiest. On a typical February day pedestrians cross as quickly as they can, all the better to get out of the cold. But in 1979 they soon won't be able to cross it at all. The city has built barriers at street level to force walkers into the concourse below. As the CBC's Terry Matte discovers, many of those on foot are staying outside to traverse Portage and Main -- mostly because they're not sure where to find the staircases that take them underground.