City council approves more 30-km/h limits

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/03/2023 (966 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Drivers must prepare to slow down, permanently, on 14 Winnipeg streets.

On Thursday, city council cast the final vote to reduce the speed limit on four “neighbourhood greenways” to 30 km/h (from 50 km/h), along with 10 of the 2022 enhanced summer bike routes.

The new speed limits will apply at all hours, once they are gradually implemented over the next two years.

All 14 routes will be permanently declared neighbourhood greenways: on-street routes that typically use reduced speeds and traffic-calming measures to “comfortably and safely move cyclists, pedestrians and motor vehicles.”

Supporters say this improves safety for active transportation options at a much lower cost than constructing separated bike lanes.

Winnipeggers appear to have mixed views on the change.

City consultations about a pilot project that tested the reduced speed on the four initial neighbourhood greenways found 59 per cent of residents who lived on an affected street supported making the speed reduction permanent.

That number dropped to 48 per cent among nearby residents, while 70 per cent of other road users opposed a permanent speed reduction.

Share inflation risk with sewage contractors

The City of Winnipeg will share some of the financial risk on a sewage megaproject to try to prevent its overall price from soaring higher.

On Thursday, council voted in favour of a plan to address skyrocketing inflation and construction costs by letting city staff negotiate “escalation clauses” within contracts for the biosolids facilities project, the second of three phases of north end sewage treatment plant upgrades.

City staff previously warned the biosolids work is at risk of an up-to-$360-million price hike, which they hope to mitigate as much as possible.

A city report notes consultation with potential bidders found they were concerned about to a fixed-fee contract, with some saying they wouldn’t bid on one and others suggesting they’d incorporate hefty contingency fees into their price to avoid the risk of losing money.

The city will cover a set portion of actual cost increases on the project, based on a pre-selected price index, which is expected to help attract more competitive bids. Exact details of the clause have not yet been determined.

The biosolids project is part of the three-phase, $1.854-billion north end sewage treatment plant upgrade.

In June, a city report noted the previously approved $552-million price tag for Phase 2 could soar to $912 million, which has not been factored into the overall price of the upgrade.

Temporary patios back in business

Winnipeg restaurants and bars can now apply for permission to open a temporary patio this spring.

The patios could operate anytime between April 1 and Oct. 31, with the city once again waiving administration fees.

Council has also ordered a city staff report that will explore if it’s feasible to convert the temporary patio registration process, which expedites approvals, into a long-term program.

The city first offered the temporary patio program in May 2020, as a relief effort to help restaurants and other businesses reach customers when COVID-19 pandemic health orders outlawed indoor dining.

In 2022, 76 local businesses registered for the temporary patio program.