This was from a few months ago but looks like Sask Ave W on Portage will be very different in a few years.
Saskatchewan Avenue West to get a facelift
$25-million project to revitalize west end
"Portage la Prairie is about to see some significant changes and improvements to its streetscape community. A recently announced infrastructure project will provide access to reliable roadways, and safe and accessible outdoor spaces.
The Manitoba government has committed to investing $8.3 million in a major upgrade to Saskatchewan Avenue West while the Government of Canada and the City of Portage la Prairie will contribute $12.5 million and $4.2 million, respectively, for a total project cost of $25 million.
"The City of Portage la Prairie is pleased to work with our federal and provincial funding partners to commence redevelopment of Saskatchewan Avenue West," said Portage la Praiirie mayor Irvine Ferris.
"This project has been a top priority for city council and we are excited to see these infrastructure improvements that will provide safer traffic flows, enhanced drainage, street-level beautification, improved reliability of our utility servicing, and upgraded paths for pedestrians and cyclists."
The project will cover approximately 1.5 kilometres of Saskatchewan Avenue West, from 8th Street West to Elm Street with upgrades including improved, safer roadways; improved and added sidewalks and pedestrian crossings; full accessibility measures; improved and environmentally friendly land drainage control; underground water and wastewater works; safer vehicle parking; cycling lanes; improved energy-efficient lighting; community-enhancing, business-friendly gathering spaces; and
environmentally friendly linear green space development.
An architectural rendering of what the Saskatchewan Avenue West revitalization will look from Elm Street to 18th Street SW.
SUPPLIED IMAGE
An architectural rendering of what the Saskatchewan Avenue West revitalization will look from Elm Street to 18th Street SW.
Raised and educated in Portage la Prairie, Ferris, who has been mayor since 2014, continues to be passionate about his community.
The married father of three grown children and grandfather of two is excited about the forward-thinking project and sees it as a way to ensure a brighter future for all residents of Portage la Prairie, noting that the west end of the city has been long overdue for some infrastructure improvements.
"This is building for the future of our community. In the west end there’s never been renewal. Some of that infrastructure is over 70 years old. There will be short-term pain for long-term gain," Ferris added.
The scale of the project will mean detours will be necessary and access to businesses may be more challenging in the short term, but the city plans to hold consultations with businesses to minimize challenges so customer access is maintained.
Phase 1 of the project involves relocating critical infrastructure, and will begin in September and completed this year. Phase 2 will start in 2022 and continue into 2024, and will see the rebuilding of Saskatchewan Avenue W.
"Currently there are no curbs, there is no drainage," Ferris said. "Riding bikes on the avenue right now can be a pretty big challenge with lots of traffic. These improvements would increase capacity to deal with weather events we see with climate change. This is a project that’s sustainable environmentally."
With Phase 2 completed in 2024, residents will see long-term savings as the new improvements result in fewer disruptions to services when issues arise."
To learn more about the project, visit:
http://www.city-plap.com/cityplap/bl...-announcement/
Here are some renderings.
Great for Portage, but disappointing that we can't do the same thing in Winnipeg for Portage Ave or Main Street despite those roads being much wider. Even Selkirk has a bike lane running through Manitoba Ave.
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