Pedestrian scramble pilot project proposed for Exchange intersection

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This article was published 26/02/2025 (199 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The city’s public service is seeking approval to test a pedestrian scramble in Winnipeg’s Exchange District.

If approved by council’s public works committee in early March, the pilot project would introduce Winnipeg’s first pedestrian scramble, simultaneously allowing foot traffic at King Street and Bannatyne Avenue in all four directions.

Two options were developed for the pilot, including the recommended $1,000 low-cost option that wouldn’t allow for diagonal crossing at the intersection.

The high-cost option, which would permit diagonal crossings, is estimated to cost $360,000 as it would require infrastructure changes.

A report to the committee said the recommendation for the low-cost option will allow the public works department time to better understand the benefits and trade-offs before making a decision on the high-cost option.

“This is a relatively small investment to do a small trial pilot in one intersection,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham. “So, I’m certainly open to proceeding with that and let’s see how that goes to test it out.”

Pedestrian scrambles are said to improve safety by eliminating conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles trying to turn.

There are two main types of pedestrian scrambles.

Type 1 only allows pedestrians to cross during the scramble phase. Type 2 allows pedestrians to cross during the scramble phases and while motorists travel in the same direction.

Type 2 is similar to most signalized intersections, with an added third phase that would halt all vehicle traffic to allow for pedestrian crossings in all directions.

The report states a Type 1 scramble was not “considered feasible” at any intersection because of the extensive delays it would cause for people on foot, which would be “expected to negatively impact compliance and safety.”

“I think we should do it,” said Coun. Janice Lukes, chairwoman of public works. “It’s a pilot project… it’s $1,000 worth of signage. The scramble will not be a diagonal scramble for a thousand dollars. It will be intersection to intersection. The timing will allow pedestrians to go from one intersection through the other intersection … King to Bannatyne and across.”

Lukes said the more costly option may not be worth the price.

“If we are going to look at the diagonal scramble, then we need to do major infrastructure upgrades to that intersection because we have to have accessibility, we have to have lights… and that would require the report to be sent back to the department to find out what it would cost and then where it would fit in our level of priorities. I don’t think personally, it would fit high in the level of priorities. But we’ll find out from the department.”

King and Bannatyne was one of four intersections found most promising after screenings. The others included Albert Street and McDermot Avenue, Arthur Street and McDermot and Princess Street and Bannatyne.

Osborne Street and River Avenue was considered in 2024 but was not recommended then, and when reviewed again recently, was left off the short list.

Considerations for each intersection included high-pedestrian and low-vehicle volumes, smaller intersections and active land use. Other factors included construction feasibility and cost, collision history and road user delays for pedestrians, cyclists, transit, trucks, and other motorists.

“This intersection is adjacent to Old Market Square and considered a relatively high pedestrian activity area in the Exchange District with placemaking opportunities,” the report said regarding King and Bannatyne. “It was the only intersection assessed that showed a Type 2 scramble would reduce pedestrian delay while creating acceptable increases in motorist delay.

“The other locations assessed shows pedestrian delay would worsen or stay about the same, which indicates a pedestrian scramble would not have much benefit over existing conditions.”

The Type 2 pilot project would shorten pedestrian delays by nine seconds east and west and one second north and south while increasing motorist delays for westbound traffic by seven seconds and northbound traffic by 17 seconds.

A Type 1 scramble would see an added 30-second delay for pedestrian traffic going east and west, and 28 seconds going north and south. Motorist delays would be the same as Type 2.

If public works signs off on the project, city staff will report back to the committee in April 2026.

— with files from Joyanne Pursaga

scott.billeck@freepress.mb.ca