Winnipeg | Osborne Village & Fort Rouge

[lotw_wpg]

Originally Posted by ColdRain&Snow

What about something like this for Osborne St? One lane in each direction + a parking lane + wider sidewalks. This screenshot is from Bridge St in Carleton Place, Ontario.



Much nicer than it is right now.

I'm for it; I know some restaurants wanted to get some sort of patio out there on the sidewalk, etc. However, there is a lot of heavy traffic that goes through Osborne and I'm not sure if the city councillors have the will to do it.

[borkborkbork]

Originally Posted by ColdRain&Snow

What about something like this for Osborne St? One lane in each direction + a parking lane + wider sidewalks. This screenshot is from Bridge St in Carleton Place, Ontario.



Much nicer than it is right now.

public works will never let it happen. they view rush hour traffic flow as the dominant and non-negotiable priority. the health and vitality of our neighbourhoods is secondary to the needs of those passing through those neighbourhoods by car.

"traffic jams are good, actually" doesn't carry much water at city hall.

[Kris22]

The only way I could ever see OV being down to 2 lanes is if Donald street and confusion corner were redesigned to accommodate heavier and more free-flowing traffic in/out of downtown. Meaning three lanes each way over the river that continue all the way to confusion corner, and some sort of grade division at confusion corner to allow a faster flow of traffic. Perhaps Pembina free flows into Donald under ground, leaving a smaller and more normal intersection above? Even just two lanes underground each way with the third staying above for cars turning onto Osborne or corydon. Something like this to pick up the slack for essentially cutting off a major commuting road.

[drew]

maybe they could get creative and use 3 lanes, with the centre lane switching directions based on the rush hour traffic.

[trueviking]

Originally Posted by Kris22

The only way I could ever see OV being down to 2 lanes is if Donald street and confusion corner were redesigned to accommodate heavier and more free-flowing traffic in/out of downtown. Meaning three lanes each way over the river that continue all the way to confusion corner, and some sort of grade division at confusion corner to allow a faster flow of traffic. Perhaps Pembina free flows into Donald under ground, leaving a smaller and more normal intersection above? Even just two lanes underground each way with the third staying above for cars turning onto Osborne or corydon. Something like this to pick up the slack for essentially cutting off a major commuting road.

I have had this thought too....make Donald a major artery out of downtown.

[trueviking]

Originally Posted by drew

maybe they could get creative and use 3 lanes, with the centre lane switching directions based on the rush hour traffic.

What is this word you are using here?

[Kris22]

Originally Posted by drew

maybe they could get creative and use 3 lanes, with the centre lane switching directions based on the rush hour traffic.

I imagine it would be a great cost-cutting measure and I'm all for it if it could be implemented properly!

[Kris22]

Originally Posted by trueviking

I have had this thought too....make Donald a major artery out of downtown.

It really makes the most sense as Donald already runs along a rail line and transit line and has the feel of what should be a quick exit from downtown.

I feel this is the best option in order to see the fantasy, pedestrian-oriented version of OV become a reality. Separate as many commuter cars as possible from the pedestrians.

[pegster]

Originally Posted by Kris22

It really makes the most sense as Donald already runs along a rail line and transit line and has the feel of what should be a quick exit from downtown.

I feel this is the best option in order to see the fantasy, pedestrian-oriented version of OV become a reality. Separate as many commuter cars as possible from the pedestrians.

Currently, you can't even turn onto southbound Donald from Portage, in either direction. Changing this, at a minimum, would seem necessary in getting southbound traffic off Osborne.

[Kris22]

Originally Posted by pegster

Currently, you can't even turn onto southbound Donald from Portage, in either direction. Changing this, at a minimum, would seem necessary in getting southbound traffic off Osborne.

Absolutely. But those turning lanes are small peanuts compared to the infrastructure costs of the bridge upgrades and grade separation at confusion corner. If this imaginary plan were approved, all of Donald turning rules would be re-evaluated.

I feel like people get so stuck on the current "rules" of 'you can't turn here', 'can't do this'. All these rules have actually existed for a short period of time and are always in flux. People make the rules, and we can change them.

[cheswick]

Originally Posted by drew

maybe they could get creative and use 3 lanes, with the centre lane switching directions based on the rush hour traffic.

Don't know why we don't do this here. I know in montreal they have highways that the physically move the barriers during the day to change the number of lanes in either direction.

[drew]

Originally Posted by cheswick

Don't know why we don't do this here. I know in montreal they have highways that the physically move the barriers during the day to change the number of lanes in either direction.

There are some streets in Calgary that do this. They have a series of lights over each lane that are either green or red X's depending on the time of day. I don't think you even need physical barriers.

[bomberjet]

I will say again for the upteenth time. The City needs to do a downtown bypass route plan. Not freeways, but designate routes, disconnect through streets, downgrade stroads like the Osborne discussion here.

Force traffic away from the routes you don't want them to use by making it slower for vehicles. Drivers will take the quicker route, as we know.

[BKB]

Originally Posted by drew

There are some streets in Calgary that do this. They have a series of lights over each lane that are either green or red X's depending on the time of day. I don't think you even need physical barriers.

I believe the Midtown Bridge once had this set-up. Green and red Xs would indicate the direction of travel.

[Kinguni]

Originally Posted by BKB

I believe the Midtown Bridge once had this set-up. Green and red Xs would indicate the direction of travel.

No, it was the old Norwood Bridge. They also used them on St James St after Bomber games.

[ColdRain&Snow]

Bloody cold out there today but still got some pictures for you guys.

Steel girders going in at 339 Wardlaw Ave:

[ColdRain&Snow]

Exterior work continuing at 425 Wardlaw Ave:

[ColdRain&Snow]

Exterior work continuing at 197 Osborne St:



And here is some of that sweet, sweet brickwork on the side:

[ColdRain&Snow]

And here is a shot peaking through the window at 135 Osborne St (former Basil's). The stud walls are starting to go up.

[WinCitySparky]

Thanks for your service!