Urban Planning and the Disraeli Freeway: Liberal Regan Wolfrom is working to get a better plan

The present plan by the City of Winnipeg to close the Disraeli Bridge for 16 months (possibly more if there are construction delays), will produce major problems for Winnipegers who use the Disraeli Freeway.

Clearly, there must be a better plan.

At a time when three major construction efforts are coming to address bridges in this part of Winnipeg, it would have seemed logical to have a better thought out long-term plan which does not require the long term closure of the Disraeli Freeway.

These three major projects are:

1) Repair and upgrade of the Disraeli Bridge

2) Repair and upgrade of the Louise Bridge

3) Building rapid transit to reach north-east Winnipeg.

The proposal to build two extra lanes in a new bridge beside the Disraeli bridge has major difficulties include a huge extra cost ( in the range of an additional $150 million) as well as the time for planning and land assembly etc.

Two other alternatives need to be thoroughly considered:

1) Is it possible to twin the Louise Bridge before the Disraeli Bridge is built, and to provide changes to the access to the Louise Bridge which will greatly improve traffic flow? The span of bridge required at the Louise site is much less than at the Disraeli site and much less costly than an extra two lanes at the Disraeli site. Twinning the Louise Bridge would provide for much better traffic patterns and greatly alleviate the situation when the Disraeli Bridge is closed for repairs.

2) Is it possible to build a new bridge (which will be required in due course), which will be needed in a few years for bus rapid transit to North-East Winnipeg. If this bridge were built first, it could be used by general traffic until the point where bus rapid transit is ready to start.

Whatever happens when the Disraeli Bridge is closed for repairs there must be:

1)Very strong planning around bus movements so that those who take the bus can get where they need to go fast. This will help alleviate the traffic situation and encourage people to take the bus.

2) Strong planning around emergency vehicle movement to ensure police, fire and paramedic services can provide quick support to those in Elmwood, East Kildonan and other areas in north-east Winnipeg.

3) Strong planning around bicycle movement to ensure good bike paths are available and usable for those who take their bicycle.

4) Good planning in terms of whether some streets are closed or one way, and when lights can be asssisted by having police directing traffic in rush hour periods to improve traffic flows. Residents in Glenelm are particularly concerned about the potential for dramatic increases in traffic flows on their residential streets.

What you can do:

Regan Wolfrom, our Liberal Party candidate in the upcoming by-election in Elmwood, is holding two open houses on the Disraeli situation and alternatives to the present plan. Come out to join the discussion and have your input:

1) Thursday November 13th, 7-8 p.m. Glenelm School Gym at 96 Carmen Ave.,

2) Wednesday November 19th, 7-8 p.m. at Good Neighbours Seniors Centre (755 Henderson Hwy)

Regan Wolfrom is also holding a Social to build support for his efforts in the by-election and in putting public pressure for a better plan for the Disraeli Bridge repair. The Social is Friday November 14 from 8:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. at the Canad Inns at Windsor Park, 1034 Elizabeth Road. Tickets at $14.99 are available by calling 219-7617, or 802-2091

As Regan says: "Elmwood and adjacent parts of north-east Winnipeg have been neglected for too long by the NDP." It is time for more attention to this area. It is time to vote Liberal to get more attention to the needs of Elmwood, Glenelm, East Kildonan and adjacent areas.

For more information see: http://reganwolfrom.wordpress.com/