A Better Plan

What we've found from our research and community consultation is that the plan that has the most potential for a workable solution is adding the twinning of the Louise Bridge to the current Disraeli rehabilitation project. Here is the timeline:

2009 or Spring 2010 - Begin construction of second span for Louise Bridge

2010 or Early 2011 - Upon completion of second Louise span, Disraeli rehabilitation work begins. Periods of full bridge closure are kept to a minimum.

Summer 2012 or Spring 2013 - Replacement of original Louise Bridge span begins.

If the current location of the Louise Bridge is kept, the project could be completed for an estimated $60-70 million. Moving the bridge to connect Higgins to Watt/Archibald south of Desalaberry Avenue (or all the way to Kent St or Panet Rd) would cost an minimum of approximately $100 million, and would extend the timeframe. Either alternative can allow for a four-lane connection to Gateway Rd and Raleigh Ave.

If the second option of connecting Higgins to Watt/Archibald is chosen, the original Louise Bridge could be converted into a pedestrian/cyclist bridge; this could be used as an alternative to the construction of a new span between the Disraeli and Louise Bridges.

Benefits of this plan

• Traffic delays due to the periodic closure of the Disraeli Freeway will decrease due to additional capacity on the Louise Bridge.
• A four-lane connection to Gateway Rd / Raleigh Ave can be built, allowing these two streets to become one efficient four-to-six lane thoroughfare leading from downtown to the Perimeter and Hwy 59.
• Reducing the delays that currently exist on the Louise Bridge and Higgins Avenue will reduce the volume of traffic on Henderson Hwy.
• Improving the flow of traffic on Higgins Avenue will create better opportunities for commercial development in South Point Douglas.
• A new Louise Bridge can include proper space and separation for pedestrian and cyclist traffic, while moving the Louise Bridge would allow the current span to be used for active transportation.

The Gateway Rd / Raleigh Ave Extension Project

In order to improve overall traffic flow to existing and new neighbourhoods in North Kildonan and North Transcona, the current two lane routes of Gateway Rd and Raleigh Ave can be modified to create a four-to-six lane thoroughfare. The extension of this thoroughfare from Chalmers Avenue to Higgins should be possible using either Louise Bridge alternative:

• Reconstruction of Louise Bridge in its current location: Levis and Stadacona Streets can be used to bring traffic from the Louise Bridge to Watt Street. At Watt, the preferred route would see two lanes along the existing Chalmers Avenue to Gateway/Raleigh, while the other two lanes would run north of Elmwood High School. An alternative route could use Chalmers along with two lanes cutting through the athletic fields at Chalmers Community Centre, but that is less desirable.
• Reconstruction of Louise Bridge towards Watt/Archibald: the new Louise Bridge could cross over Watt/Archibald where the route could split between the Higgins extension to Kent/Panet and Gateway/Raleigh. Gateway/Raleigh could run under the existing Nairn underpass if space allows. However, if the Louise Bridge emptied onto Watt/Archibald, a connection to Gateway and Raleigh could be difficult to achieve.

Click here to enlarge

The new Gateway/Raleigh thoroughfare can be built without removing the existing active transportation trails. It is also an excellent location for a rapid transit corridor for East and North Kildonan. If the Louise Bridge were kept in its current location, in future a dedicated rapid transit bridge could be built to cross over from Point Douglas/Waterfront Drive to a point south of the Nairn underpass, with one route heading along Gateway/Raleigh while a Transcona line would use the less developed land south of Nairn to reach to Regent Avenue and beyond. The Gateway/Raleigh rapid transit corridor is a logical place for an extension of rapid transit, due to the availability of right-of-way with little or no private property acquisition.

Other Alternatives

There are other alternatives and options that have been suggested:

• A six lane Disraeli Freeway
  
  The City of Winnipeg did not bring this plan forward to the community for consultation, apparently due to a high cost estimate ($250-300 million) and concerns that the existence of certain properties abutting the current freeway are too close for a widening of the route. Some opponents of the current plan have said that the cost estimate is over exaggerated; however, the cost may include dealing with some of the nearby structures through acquisition or other accommodations.
  
  In addition, this plan creates a six-lane bridge that empties onto Henderson Hwy, which at six lanes is already congested. Traffic flow on Henderson cannot be improved unless it is converted to eight lanes (not a popular idea, requiring businesses and houses to be demolished), or move some traffic off of Henderson and onto Gateway/Raleigh.
  
  Cost estimate: $200-300 million.



• Two widened sidewalks and an extended Disraeli bridge deck
  
  The city rejected a second option of a widened bridge deck allowing for widened sidewalks on both sides of the bridge.
  
  Cost estimate: $185 million



• Dedicated mass transit lanes beside existing Disraeli Freeway
  
  The city could build a two-lane bridge separate from the existing Disraeli bridge, allowing it to be used for all vehicle traffic while the old span is replaced. This would alleviate some of the closure concerns, but would most likely require the purchase of abutting properties.
  
  Cost estimate: $200-300 million.