Mayor Brian Bowman admits it's "very unlikely" the city's most iconic intersection could re-open to pedestrians in time for the Canada Summer Games.

Bowman noted the timeline to re-open Portage Avenue and Main Street, a previous goal of his, doesn't appear to fit with work still required to ensure the intersection can serve foot traffic safely and affordably during the Games, which run from July 28 to Aug. 13, 2017.

"We've got a lot of work to do, so I think that's a fair assessment that it's very unlikely we'll have it open," said Bowman.

City staff have warned barricades at the site are structurally tied to the underground walkway system, complicating any effort to tear them down. Previous studies also warned foot traffic could delay vehicles at the busy intersection and create a need to revamp bus schedules.

Bowman wouldn't offer a new timeframe for the project or confirm if he expects to seek funding for it in the 2018 budget.

"I'd like to move as quickly as possible but we want to get it right, so as soon as we have a better timeframe, we'll let you know," he said.

Pedestrian access was shut down at Portage and Main back in 1979 to fulfill a 40-year contract with owners of an underground mall at the site. The change was meant to lure businesses to invest at the mall by ensuring foot traffic passed by them. The mayor campaigned on a pledge to re-open the crossing to pedestrians by 2019.

But Bowman says he's since secured letters of support for the re-opening from at least four key property owners of buildings at the site, which could alter that timeline.

The mayor was criticized earleir this week for failing to release a traffic study on opening the intersection but says city staff are still working to flesh out the full impact of re-opening.

"Those discussions are still ongoing," said Bowman.

jpursaga@postmedia.com

Twitter: @pursagawpgsun