Think over looked is people will be people and when it is freezing out jay walking as becomes a common issue as temperatures dip. Being a wider intersection it becomes extremely dangerous as people are more likely to make poor decisions plus roads can be more slippery for rushing. Waiting for people crossing illegally will definitely take a toll on backing up traffic which will frustrate drivers and even pedestrians who have cars in the corridors to cross. Don't think police want to camp out freezing enforcing as have better things to do. It was closed for a reason why would repeat that failure again. Driving in Winnipeg it is apparent more every year people don't always follow the rules. So many speed through yellows, change lanes in intersections, and text or stare down at their phones. So come winter time the cycle of people trying to beat out the cold by jaywalking and people trying to beat out the yellow lights will only lead to disaster. Watch on a cold day on other streets people walking out on the road prior to it being safe. So many other places to spend the money wisely. Sure it may look weird and is not super pretty to people from out of town but you don't wear your best shoes fishing either. Mayor is likeable but in this case his pride in the city is affecting his common sense. Cold in Winnipeg for months so people will jaywalk make bad choices and get hurt plus disrupt traffic flow. cheers
Brian - 12 years ago
Pedestrians and motor vehicles do not mix well together. If Portage and Main is opened up to foot traffic, the likelihood of a vehicle-pedestrian accident is greatly increased. Can you imagine the turmoil that would be caused if police had to shut down that intersection for hours while investigating such an accident? Come on people. let's put our thinking caps back on!!
Jake Giesbrecht - 12 years ago
How could the city planers even adjust the traffic lights to allow pedestrians to cross? Not possible without obstructing the already jamed traffic flow. I was a city truck driver in the days when the intersection was made pedestrians free and that was the best thing ever happened in that part of the city.
Sandra Eori - 12 years ago
The intersection has gotten a lot busier in the years with more traffic . I feel there would be more pedestrian accidents with people trying to run across when they are not suppose to or to catch a bus etc. PS. bikes included. NOT SAFE !!!!!
Gary Farrell - 12 years ago
There are enough traffic delays downtown waiting for pedestrians to cross intersections without creating another major problem at Portage and Main. At least there, traffic can move freely without pedestrians. I do think that more attractive and clearly marked entrances to the underground walkway should be made to improve the area visually and to assist visitors without having to ask for directions.
barbra sucharov - 12 years ago
there is a reason it was closed years ago. I worked downtown, years ago, I would cross portage or mainstreet , at a different intersection, just so I would not have to cross right at portage and main!
Keith - 12 years ago
It Is crazy that pedestrians cannot cross at portage and main. As a visitor, you will get lost in the concourse and miss the best part of the city.
Make this the time square of Winnipeg, give it back to the people of Winnipeg. Celebrate the true history of the intersection, a cross road and meeting place for people. Make it welcoming for visitors, plant trees, "green" the intersection.
Jim Hannah - 12 years ago
I use to work for Air Canada in the early 70's when they had their offices in the Richardson Building. One day while waiting for the light to turn green at Main & Portage Ave. E. to catch my bus home to St James I was hit by a transit bus.
As the intersection is so wide on Main Street going north, the bus, having had run a yellow light and by the time it got half way across at Portage Avenue East intersection the light had changed to red. Unknown to me at the time, I had just stepped off the curb when the bus whizzed pass my face and the side mirror brushed my nose. The driver had the bus floored trying to make it before the light turned red but to no avail. If another pedestrian had not grabbed my shoulder I would have been killed. For those who worked downtown when Portage & Main was open to pedestrian traffic know how dangerous the intersection was. From that day forward I walked down to McDermot Avenue to cross at the lights there.
Think over looked is people will be people and when it is freezing out jay walking as becomes a common issue as temperatures dip. Being a wider intersection it becomes extremely dangerous as people are more likely to make poor decisions plus roads can be more slippery for rushing. Waiting for people crossing illegally will definitely take a toll on backing up traffic which will frustrate drivers and even pedestrians who have cars in the corridors to cross. Don't think police want to camp out freezing enforcing as have better things to do. It was closed for a reason why would repeat that failure again. Driving in Winnipeg it is apparent more every year people don't always follow the rules. So many speed through yellows, change lanes in intersections, and text or stare down at their phones. So come winter time the cycle of people trying to beat out the cold by jaywalking and people trying to beat out the yellow lights will only lead to disaster. Watch on a cold day on other streets people walking out on the road prior to it being safe. So many other places to spend the money wisely. Sure it may look weird and is not super pretty to people from out of town but you don't wear your best shoes fishing either. Mayor is likeable but in this case his pride in the city is affecting his common sense. Cold in Winnipeg for months so people will jaywalk make bad choices and get hurt plus disrupt traffic flow. cheers
Pedestrians and motor vehicles do not mix well together. If Portage and Main is opened up to foot traffic, the likelihood of a vehicle-pedestrian accident is greatly increased. Can you imagine the turmoil that would be caused if police had to shut down that intersection for hours while investigating such an accident? Come on people. let's put our thinking caps back on!!
How could the city planers even adjust the traffic lights to allow pedestrians to cross? Not possible without obstructing the already jamed traffic flow. I was a city truck driver in the days when the intersection was made pedestrians free and that was the best thing ever happened in that part of the city.
The intersection has gotten a lot busier in the years with more traffic . I feel there would be more pedestrian accidents with people trying to run across when they are not suppose to or to catch a bus etc. PS. bikes included. NOT SAFE !!!!!
There are enough traffic delays downtown waiting for pedestrians to cross intersections without creating another major problem at Portage and Main. At least there, traffic can move freely without pedestrians. I do think that more attractive and clearly marked entrances to the underground walkway should be made to improve the area visually and to assist visitors without having to ask for directions.
there is a reason it was closed years ago. I worked downtown, years ago, I would cross portage or mainstreet , at a different intersection, just so I would not have to cross right at portage and main!
It Is crazy that pedestrians cannot cross at portage and main. As a visitor, you will get lost in the concourse and miss the best part of the city.
Make this the time square of Winnipeg, give it back to the people of Winnipeg. Celebrate the true history of the intersection, a cross road and meeting place for people. Make it welcoming for visitors, plant trees, "green" the intersection.
I use to work for Air Canada in the early 70's when they had their offices in the Richardson Building. One day while waiting for the light to turn green at Main & Portage Ave. E. to catch my bus home to St James I was hit by a transit bus.
As the intersection is so wide on Main Street going north, the bus, having had run a yellow light and by the time it got half way across at Portage Avenue East intersection the light had changed to red. Unknown to me at the time, I had just stepped off the curb when the bus whizzed pass my face and the side mirror brushed my nose. The driver had the bus floored trying to make it before the light turned red but to no avail. If another pedestrian had not grabbed my shoulder I would have been killed. For those who worked downtown when Portage & Main was open to pedestrian traffic know how dangerous the intersection was. From that day forward I walked down to McDermot Avenue to cross at the lights there.