Winnipeg council approves plan to open Portage and Main to pedestrians [Video]

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https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/portage-and-main-opening-to-pedestrians-approved-1.7151756

Winnipeg city council has approved a plan to reopen Portage Avenue and Main Street to pedestrians, marking a turning point in the long-running debate over what to do with the city’s most famous intersection.

In a vote of 11 in favour and three against, the decision sets in motion a process that aims to open the intersection to foot traffic at street level for the first time in more than four decades, with a target date of July 1, 2025.

The vote came weeks after a report said it would cost $73 million to replace the waterproof membrane protecting the underground concourse, and cause up to five years of traffic delays.

That report led Mayor Scott Gillingham to say he favours removing the barricades blocking pedestrian access, and decommission the city-owned portion of the underground circus.

Speaking to reporters before the vote, Gillingham said he favours closing the concourse — which city staff roughly estimates will cost $20 million to $50 million — although further study is needed.