Osborne Street Bridge Rehabilitation Project
This project is now complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why aren't you working 24 hours per day, 7 days per week?
- Why is the work being done over two years? Can't everything be done in one year?
- Why wasn't Osborne Street widened to make more room for cyclists?
- What is the City doing to ensure that the bridge aesthetics are suitable for the site?
- How will Winnipeg Transit Routes be affected?
- Why isn't a temporary pedestrian/cyclist crossing put in at Assiniboine Avenue /Mostyn Street at street-level north of the bridge?
Why aren't you working 24 hours per day, 7 days per week?
- The bridge is located very close to a residential neighbourhood. Our public consultation process indicated that construction noise must be considered for the scheduling of the work. The construction work will be carried out in accordance with the City of Winnipeg Neighbourhood Liveability By-law No. 1/2008.
- The Contractor is allowed to work extended hours and Saturdays.
- Work on Sundays, Statutory Holidays and Civic Holidays requires special permission from the City of Winnipeg.
Why is the work being done over two years? Can't everything be done in one year?
- The bridge is an important route for Winnipeg Transit and emergency services. It is critical to maintain access for these services during the entire construction period. Therefore, only half of the bridge can be closed anytime. At least one lane of traffic will be maintained on the bridge in each direction. For most of the construction period two lanes of traffic will be available in the rush hour peak flow direction.
Why wasn't Osborne Street widened to make more room for cyclists?
- The design team looked at widening Osborne Street between the bridge and Broadway. This would have required moving the sidewalks closer to the mature elm trees running along the Legislative Building grounds. Discussions were held with the Province of Manitoba. Working together, the provincial staff and the design team determined that any construction near the trees would put them at risk. The mature forest canopy is an important element of the Osborne Street environment and must be preserved.
- The City was able to acquire some property immediately south of the bridge to improve cycling facilities. Unfortunately, the City of Winnipeg was not able to obtain enough property to widen Osborne Street all the way from the south end of the bridge to Roslyn Road.
- The bridge is being widened to the maximum extent possible to improve pedestrian and cyclist facilities.
- The City of Winnipeg is looking at other streets to serve as Active Transportation routes through the neighbourhood.
What is the City doing to ensure that the bridge aesthetics are suitable for the site?
- During the public consultation and collaborative planning process, many residents, local business owners, and other bridge users indicated very strongly that they don't want a cookie-cutter utilitarian looking bridge.
- The design team includes landscape architects.
- The City of Winnipeg is partnering with the Winnipeg Arts Council to incorporate public art into the bridge. A team of artists has been hired to work side-by-side with the engineers and landscape architects on the design team to provide a bridge that truly fits with the two very distinct neighbourhoods on the north and south side of the Assiniboine River. Special handrails with accent lighting together with a patterned sidewalk on the bridge will celebrate local neighbourhood history, locations, events, and other local heritage elements.
How will Winnipeg Transit Routes be affected?
- Information on Route and Schedule changes can be found on the Winnipeg Transit web site.
Why isn't a temporary pedestrian/cyclist crossing put in at Assiniboine Avenue /Mostyn Street at street-level north of the bridge?
- Prior to construction, there was no designated street level crossing between the north end of the bridge and Broadway. Pedestrian and cyclist traffic wishing to cross Osborne Street north of the bridge during construction have the option to use the signalized crossing at Broadway Avenue or use the under-bridge crossing on the north bank of the river when it is available. The option of providing a controlled street-level crossing north of the bridge during construction was considered in the planning stages for the project but was not pursued due to construction conflicts and safety concerns for the public. It is not feasible to create a safe crossing through this construction zone. At the completion of construction, an accessible signalized crossing for pedestrian and cyclists will be provided at the Assiniboine Avenue/Mostyn Street intersection.
A fence is currently being installed on the east side of Osborne Street north of the bridge to Broadway Avenue to attempt to prevent pedestrians and cyclists from crossing the street through the construction zone.
The current underbridge crossing level will be raised as high as practical to minimize its closure due to high water levels in the Assiniboine River. The crossing will be sheltered with a roof to prevent construction debris from falling on people. The crossing will be signed to have cyclists dismount prior to crossing since the vertical height will be limited.