Bridging the gap between suburbs

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John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press The new University of Manitoba residence from across the Red River at Henteleff Park. The city is considering a pedestrian bridge from St. Vital to the U of M and Henteleff Park is one of the possible sites.

Winnipeg is set to reignite talks about a decades-old idea to create a new pedestrian bridge across the Red River.

This week, a firm hired by the city will hold public consultations on possible ways to create a pedestrian bridge or aerial tramway to connect the University of Manitoba with St. Vital.

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While the idea of linking the campus to the other side of the Red River has been discussed for years, the city has never moved ahead with a concrete plan.

MMM Group project planner Misty Carson said they have come up with five proposed locations where the two sides of the river can connect, including possible links at King's Park, Henteleff Park and near the U of M law school.

Carson said the firm is in the process of finalizing cost estimates for each option at each location, which it hopes to present at the community meetings.

Right now, Carson said two options -- a pedestrian bridge and an aerial tramway -- are up for discussion.

"We're very much at the beginning of understanding public favour and interest for something like this," Carson said.

The notion of connecting the U of M campus with St. Vital last gained traction in 2007. A Winnipeg Transit report suggested it would cost about $3 million to build a 250-metre cable connection between the U of M and Henteleff Tree Nursery. At the time, a pedestrian bridge was estimated to cost between $12 million and $15 million.

The idea failed to get the go-ahead at council's public works committee.

This time around, St. Norbert Coun. Justin Swandel said he'd like to see the preliminary ideas focus on crossings that are doable and won't infringe on riverbank stability, soil or floodway operations.

He said he suspects public feedback could be a "mixed bag," with residents and students who support the active transportation link and others who are resistant to change.

However, he said he's interested in exploring the idea of some kind of pedestrian connection between the two sides.

"I want to see what comes back out of this and see if we can get it focused," Swandel said.

"What I don't like is jumping too far in too early, which is why we've got to get some feedback on this."

U of M officials aren't sure what impact -- if any -- such a proposal would have on concerns about game-day traffic at the new stadium.

Michelle Richard, director of campus planning, said it hasn't been considered as part of the game-day planning process. However, she said it would be an opportunity for the campus to connect with other parts of the community.

"Our focus would be on finding ways to create linkages from the university and the broader community," she said. "This is a real opportunity to make those connections."

City of Winnipeg spokeswoman Tammy Melesko said public feedback will be used to draft a report that outlines locations along the Red River where a pedestrian link could be built.

Council's public works committee will review the report, which will contain cost estimates for each location, should the project move ahead.

Some residents have already raised concerns.

St. Vital Coun. Brian Mayes said Winnipeggers on his side of the river have expressed concern that a community garden group uses the green space at one of the proposed connections north of the U of M.

Mayes said other homeowners worry people will park their cars and walk to the new football stadium on game days.

Mayes said he's interested in looking at beefing up the pedestrian connection on Bishop Grandin Boulevard to make it easier for people to travel on bike and on foot.

"It would benefit some people in St. Vital, but on the other hand, there seems to be a lot of opposition, even without considering the cost," Mayes said.

jen.skerrit@freepress.mb.ca

jen.skerritt@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 6, 2012 B1