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The City of Winnipeg has issued a tender for construction that will open up Portage and Main, allowing pedestrians to cross the intersection at street level.
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The City said in a release that this much-debated project will change the way pedestrians, vehicles, and cyclists move through the iconic intersection.
The work includes demolishing the existing barrier walls and installing new traffic signals, streetlights, and curbs. A curb extension will be added on the southeast corner to shorten the pedestrian crossing distance and provide more space. Medians will be repaired, and sidewalks will be adjusted to accommodate safe pedestrian crossings at all four corners of the intersection.
The tender provides detailed information about the construction requirements. The successful bidder will be expected to develop a work plan, ensure site accessibility, and maintain business access during construction. Safety will be a priority, with the contractor responsible for coordinating work with other ongoing projects and events near the intersection.
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The tender is set to be awarded on Nov. 8, with construction starting shortly after, by Nov. 15. Major work is expected to be finished by June 20, 2025, with final touches completed by June 27. The street-level pedestrian crossing is projected to open by July 1, 2025, just in time for the launch of Winnipeg Transit’s new Primary Transit Network on June 29.
Future phases of redevelopment at Portage and Main are planned. A preliminary design study for Rapid Transit’s downtown corridors is expected to begin in 2025, integrating Winnipeg Transit infrastructure with the intersection’s final design for the City council’s review.
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