Waverley Underpass Project

Update November 4, 2019

We are excited to announce that as of November 2019, the project is essentially complete. All traffic lanes, sidewalks, and bike paths are now open. Final landscaping will occur in the spring and early summer of 2020, along with the installation of a public artwork. Short term lane and sidewalk closures may be required for access.

We would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding during construction. This is the final Construction Update for this project.

Update October 29, 2019:

The Winnipeg Arts Council announced OUTCROPPINGS, a new public artwork being created as part of the Waverley Underpass Project. OUTCROPPINGS is an aluminum landscape sculpture by artist Jyhling Lee, who was inspired by the region’s geologic and cultural history to create projective sculptural forms as an acknowledgement of the mineral abundance and heritage of this land. The series of sculptural outcroppings will be installed in the summer of 2020 along the sloped greenspace to the south of the new underpass and east of the Active Transportation pathway, acting as a gateway between the neighbourhoods of River Heights and Linden Woods.

The artwork is intended to be experienced as a discovery; an outcropping of a new type of mineral, emerging from the land, elemental in geometry, with a shape like a mythical Ordovician clam, whose existence 445 million years ago left the unique fossil impressions we see in locally-sourced Tyndall stone today. This land, like the people who have travelled and lived on it, has experienced diversity in its people and foundation. This land is home to First Nations, Métis, and settler populations and has been transformed through an ever-changing landscape of Precambrian rock, glaciers, tall grass prairie, farmland, urban growth, and now a roadway leading to many places. OUTCROPPINGS conceives of the history of southern Manitoba through physical strata; a continuation of the story of the continual movement and changing of the land.

Commissioned and managed through the Winnipeg Arts Council's Public Art Program, this work was funded through the Waverley Underpass Project with extra support from Councillor John Orlikow through the Land Dedication Reserve Fund and will become a part of the City’s robust collection of public artwork. A preview of the art installation is available in the Documents section of the project webpage.

Update August 19, 2019:

After this past weekend's full closure of the project site to vehicles, today traffic was successfully transitioned under the new underpass for the first time. Construction will continue on the project through to the end of the 2019 summer construction season, including removal of the temporary detour road, completing the reconstruction of the north side of the Waverley and Taylor intersection, completing the twinning of Taylor Avenue, and landscaping. Final landscaping and the installation of a public art component will occur in 2020.

We are happy to celebrate this exciting project milestone with you, and we thank you for your continued patience in navigating the project area during construction. Please take a moment to view this video providing a look back on this significant project and the major transformation that it has brought to the transportation system in this area.

Update August 1, 2019:

In order to transition traffic from the detour road to the new underpass roadway, the Waverley Underpass project area will be closed to all vehicles from Friday, August 16 at 5:30 p.m. to Monday, August 19 at 6:00 a.m. Pedestrians and cyclists may use the new pathway on the east side of the underpass during the weekend. Road closures are as follows:

• Waverley Street between Wilkes Avenue/Hurst Way and Mathers Avenue
• Taylor Avenue between Cambridge Street and east of the western Reh-Fit Centre parking lot access
• An additional closure of the intersection of Wilkes Avenue/Hurst Way at Waverley Street will occur on Saturday August 17 from approximately 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for intersection paving.  During this time, no through traffic will be permitted at the intersection.

View this closure on a map.

Immediately following this weekend closure, traffic will begin operating under the new underpass. Cyclists and pedestrians will continue using the new active transportation pathway on the east side of Waverley. After the underpass is opened, the following turning restrictions be in place at the intersection of Waverley and Taylor:

• Northbound Waverley Street at Taylor Avenue; no left turn
• Southbound Waverley Street at Taylor Avenue; no left turn
• Eastbound Taylor Avenue at Waverley Street; no left turn

A map showing how traffic will operate after the underpass opening can be viewed on this map.

While the opening of the underpass will eliminate train delay through the area, motorists are advised that intersection construction at Waverley and Taylor will continue on the project until November 2019, and construction related delays and traffic restrictions are expected.

For Transit re-route and schedule information, visit winnipegtransit.com

Please see Construction Update #9 for additional details.

Update April 2019:

Following on the success of construction in 2017 and 2018, we are looking forward to our final year of major construction for this project. The project is on schedule to be complete in Fall 2019. Over the winter months, excavation of the underpass was completed, and work on land drainage components has advanced. With the spring thaw now underway, underpass roadworks will begin in the coming weeks and continue throughout the 2019 summer construction season. Traffic is expected to continue to operate on the detour road until August 2019, at which time it will be transitioned under the underpass during a weekend closure. Construction will continue into October 2019 to complete all roadwork. Additional updates will be issued as these milestones approach. Please see Construction Update #8 for additional details.

Update December 2018:

A successful 2018 is coming to a close! Underpass bridge construction was completed in late August 2018, and trains are now operating over the new bridge. The rail detour is now being removed. Intersection improvements at Wilkes Avenue and Waverley Street, the twinning of Hurst Way, and new eastbound Taylor Avenue lanes have also been completed. Work over the winter will include removal of the rail detour, bulk excavation of the underpass along Waverley, and continued construction of the pump station and associated land drainage works. Traffic will continue to operate on the detour road over the winter of 2018-19. Please see Construction Update #7 for additional details.

Update September 2018:

Construction on the Waverley Underpass project continues as the end of the 2018 summer construction season nears. The rail carrying bridge structure is now complete, and throughout the fall of 2018, rail crews will be working to transition trains off the detour onto the new bridge. Once complete, excavation of the future underpass roadway (which has started on the north side of the new bridge) can be completed over the winter. Take a minute to view a video showing an overhead flythrough of the project site taken this summer.

Update June 2018:

Refer to Construction Update #6 In order to complete railway track reconstruction, Waverley Street will be closed to all vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists from Friday, July 6 at 10 a.m. until Monday, July 9 at 6 a.m.  The road and active transportation pathway will be closed within the following boundaries:

• Northbound and southbound Waverley Street will be completely closed between Wilkes Avenue/Hurst Way and Taylor Avenue.
• Eastbound Taylor Avenue will be closed between Ash Street and Cambridge Street.  The Reh-Fit Centre parking lot will remain accessible.
• Please note that the westbound lane on Taylor Avenue will remain open throughout the weekend.

Once the weekend work is completed traffic will resume using the detour road.  This is the second of three weekend closures planned as part of the Waverley Underpass project.  All travelers through the area should allow additional time to get to their destination, and use alternate routes such as Route 90 or Pembina Highway.

For Transit re-route and schedule information, visit winnipegtransit.com.

Refer to Construction Update #9.

Update April 2018:

Spring is here and work on the Waverley Underpass project continues. Work on the bridge and pump station occurred over this past winter, and will continue into the fall of 2018. A busy summer of road work is ahead of us, with roadwork planned on Taylor, Hurst and at the intersections of Waverley at Wilkes and at Taylor. Traffic will continue to operate on the detour road throughout the summer. Please note that temporary lane and sidewalk closures will continue to occur during construction. For more information, see "Construction Update #5" under the Documents tab.

Update December 2017:

The Waverley Underpass project is moving along smoothly, and remains within budget and on schedule. Works completed to date include the road and rail detours, and the renewal of Waverley north of Mathers up to and including the Grant intersection. With traffic operating on the temporary detour road and trains on the rail detour, construction of the rail bridge can now occur. During winter 2017/2018 several areas within the project will be under construction including the rail bridge, pump station and underground works on Taylor Avenue. Traffic will operate on the detour road throughout this phase. Please note that temporary lane and sidewalk closures will continue to occur during construction of the Waverley Underpass project. For more information, please see Construction Update #4.

Update November 2017:

Motorists, cyclists and pedestrians traveling in the vicinity of the Waverley Underpass project from Wednesday, November 1 until Friday, November 3 can expect additional travel delays as the rail detour is implemented at the at-grade railway crossing on Waverley Street just south of Taylor Avenue to facilitate further construction of the underpass.

Construction of the rail detour, called a "shoofly," is almost complete and from about Wednesday, November 1 to Friday, November 3, trains will be transitioning from the CN mainline over to the shoofly. This work will involve passage of specialized equipment and workers through the crossing. During this time, additional delays over and above the usual delays caused by daily train traffic at this location can be expected.

Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians are reminded to refrain from queuing or stopping on the tracks, and to always come to a stop in advance of flashing bells and gates when trains are approaching.

Motorists are encouraged to plan their travel routes, use the Waze app for real-time traffic and incident updates, and to allow additional time to get to their destinations while the rail detour is implemented.

Update September 2017:

Refer to Construction Update #3. In order to complete construction of the detour road and active transportation path, the Waverley Underpass project area will be closed to all vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists from Friday, September 29 at 5:30 p.m. to Monday, October 2 at 6 a.m. The road, sidewalks and active transportation pathways will be closed within the following boundaries:

• Waverley Street between Wilkes Avenue/Hurst Way and Mathers Avenue
• Taylor Avenue between Cambridge Street and east of the western Reh-Fit Centre parking lot access

View this closure on a map.

Immediately following this weekend closure, traffic will begin operating on the new detour road. Cyclists and pedestrians will be able to access the new detour active transportation path. As part of the new detour, some turning movements will be restricted for traffic including:

• Eastbound Taylor at Waverley (detour) must turn right
• Northbound Waverley (detour) at Taylor, no left turn
• Southbound Waverley at Taylor, no left turn

View the detour road on a map or view a video of the new detour.

For Transit re-route and schedule information, visit winnipegtransit.com

Update July 2017:

The City has launched a travel time information system to help drivers anticipate and avoid delays caused by train crossings and construction while the Waverley Underpass Project is underway. Travel time information will be relayed to drivers in real-time on an electronic message board on northbound Waverley Street in advance of McGillivray so motorists can consider alternate routes.

Construction of the Waverley Underpass is in full swing and as construction progresses, there will be phases of work that require lane closures and traffic restrictions in order to complete the work. In addition, delays caused by train traffic will continue to occur until the underpass opens to traffic.

A network of sensors will be used to detect the presence of trains and vehicular traffic, and predict travel times for northbound Waverley traffic from McGillivray Boulevard to Taylor Avenue. Detection of inbound train traffic will allow predictive algorithms to forecast rail-induced delays on Waverley Street before they occur. This travel time information will be relayed to drivers in real-time on an electronic message board installed northbound Waverley in advance of McGillivray. The system will remain in place for the duration of the Waverley Underpass Project.

Update May 2017:

Preliminary underground works including installation of construction fencing and land drainage pipes on Waverley are substantially complete.

Between the Spring and Fall of 2017 several portions of the project will be under construction. These include: road and rail detours, intersection improvements at Grant & Waverley and Wilkes & Waverley and the rehabilitation of Waverley between Mathers and Grant.

For more information, please see Construction Update #2.

Update February 2017:

Construction is underway on preliminary works required to be in place prior to starting construction on the detour road and rail, which include construction fencing and installation of land drainage pipes adjacent to Waverley and an outfall to the pond west of Grant Memorial Church.

Between the Spring and Fall of 2017, several portions of the project will be under construction. These include road and rail detours, Grant and Waverley intersection improvements and rehabilitation of Waverley between Mathers and Grant.

For more detailed information, please see Construction Update #1.

Update November 2016:

The online survey is now closed. A public engagement summary will be posted online before the end of 2016. Detailed design work for this project is nearing completion. Preliminary underground construction will begin in early 2017, with more visible road and rail construction anticipated for spring of 2017. Project updates will be available on this website as construction progresses.

Update October 2016:

Two detailed design open house sessions were held on October 6, 2016. Approximately 500 Winnipeg residents attended the open house sessions. We received 48 exit surveys at the open house and an additional 86 online so far. Survey responses will be accepted until October 31, 2016.

Update September 2016:

The detailed design process for the project is currently underway. An Open House Event will be held on Thursday, October 6, 2016. The open house boards can be viewed in advance of the event.

Project at a Glance

Due to rapid growth in the southwest quadrant of the City and increasing traffic congestion due to heavy train operations, upgrading the Waverley crossing of the CNR Rivers rail line has become a priority in recent years. With approximately 30,000 vehicles and between 35 and 40 train movements passing through the intersection daily, the Waverley rail crossing has become a major bottleneck.

In early 2014, the City of Winnipeg initiated a preliminary design study for the Waverley Underpass Project. The project team was tasked with developing a high level design for a grade separation of Waverley Street and the CNR Rivers rail line. The design also includes intersection and road improvements within close proximity of the project area, primarily along Waverley Street. Based on traffic modeling, the transportation study, public engagement, and the existing constraints, the design team developed a draft concept for the underpass structure, roadway upgrades, and intersection improvements: Draft Concept Map. This concept has been further refined through the detailed design process: Detailed Design Maps for Waverley and Taylor.

The primary objective of the project is to provide a grade separated crossing of Waverley Street at the CNR Rivers Rail Line, and improve the transportation network in the vicinity of the project area.

Two open house sessions were held on October 6, 2016.

Online surveys were accepted until October 31, 2016. We received feedback through 107 online surveys and 49 exit surveys. Feedback is currently being considered and a summary of the engagement process will be posted online before the end of 2016.

For further information, to provide your feedback, or to sign up for future project updates you may contact 311, or contact:

David Wiebe, Dillon Consulting Limited
Phone: 204-453-2301, extension 4042
Email: dwiebe@dillon.ca

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• Detailed Design maps: Waverley | Taylor
• Project area
• Detour Map
• Transit Maps before, during, and after construction

Waverley Underpass Playlist

• Waverley Underpass Preliminary Design Study