Makeover ordered for Chief Peguis extension
By: Joe Paraskevas
Updated: March 25 at 12:55 AM CDT
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A north Winnipeg councillor has sent city staff back to the drawing board over a controversial intersection planned for the Chief Peguis Trail.
North Kildonan Coun. Jeff Browaty said Monday he has asked city administrators to look into alternatives to the proposed design of an intersection between Rothesay Street and the planned extension of Chief Peguis Trail, a four-lane road meant to be a major east-west route across the city's northern reaches.
Rather than build an underpass at Rothesay and have Chief Peguis traffic flow virtually unimpeded, the city proposed building a traffic-light controlled intersection due to skyrocketing construction costs. The city asked the public for feedback at a public meeting three weeks ago.
Browaty, who lives along the trail's proposed route, said he was "disappointed" when he saw details of the $64-million new road at the meeting.
"(The intersection with) Rothesay isn't good," he said, noting he is concerned about young people crossing the roads to go to nearby schools.
He suggested alternatives.
One involves blocking off Rothesay on each side of Chief Peguis. Traffic could use on- and off-ramps to access the new road, Browaty suggested, and emergency vehicles could be rerouted.
Pedestrians would have a dedicated overpass.
"It would probably (cost) less..." Browaty said.
He also suggested a "scaled-down underpass." Under that option, planners would narrow the boulevard separating traffic on Chief Peguis. A bike path would cross Rothesay at a level intersection, rather than follow Chief Peguis through the underpass, Browaty said.
The city has estimated the underpass would cost as much as $60 million.
Construction of Chief Peguis from Henderson Highway east to Lagimodi ®re Boulevard will start next year.
joe.paraskevas@freepress.mb.ca