Assiniboine Avenue closure to be considered

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This article was published 04/10/2023 (755 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Vehicle traffic may lose access to a key section of Assiniboine Avenue if a proposed pilot project to enhance the area for pedestrians is approved.

On Oct. 10, council’s public works committee will consider a call to order a report on a “pedestrian-prioritized” pilot project that would close Assiniboine Avenue to vehicle traffic between Fort and Main streets.

Coun. Janice Lukes, chairwoman of public works, said shutting down vehicle access at this stretch of Assiniboine Avenue would improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians.

“Vehicles would not have a right or left turn onto Assiniboine Avenue (from Main Street), basically closing Assiniboine Avenue,” said Lukes.

She said a pilot project could help determine how best to use the space and to study its impact on traffic and safety. Lukes suggested the area could include more green space and/or a plaza in the future.

The motion also calls for options to eliminate the right turn lane at River Avenue and Osborne Street and consider adding a pedestrian scramble in that area. At a pedestrian scramble, all vehicle traffic has a red light at the same time in order to let pedestrians cross in all directions at once.