Daly Overpass preferred design released

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This article was published 26/06/2019 (2508 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The preferred design for the Daly Overpass reconstruction has been released, which includes a four-lane bridge, an active transportation bridge and other street improvements.

A mock-up of Manitoba Infrastructure’s preferred design, which is available on Landmark Planning and Design’s website, shows a redesign of the intersection of Rosser Avenue and 18th Street. The four-lane proposal is to replace the current 50-year-old three-lane bridge.

The proposed new bridge itself bends to the east as it crosses over the Canadian Pacific Railway tracks north of Pacific Avenue. According to the design document, this is to ensure the existing bridge can still be used during construction.

The design also shows an active transportation bridge for walking and cycling running directly parallel on the east side of the bridge. The active transportation bridge starts at Rosser Avenue and ends on Stickney Avenue.

Coun. Kris Desjarlais (Rosser), who represents the area where the bridge starts at its south end, said he believes the option takes the path of least resistance.

“It’s something that affects the least amount of businesses and property acquisition to make the bridge happen…. I think it was a pretty neat idea proposed to separate the active transportation component from the bridge entirely. I think that will be safer — that was a cost-saving decision.”

He said some of the businesses that would have been affected under other options are glad they won’t have to move.

“There are some (businesses that) are going to have to make some changes … But they won’t have to move,” he said.

A 2017 document on the company’s website says that in option three (the preferred option), the Kullberg’s building at the corner of Pacific Avenue and 18th Street would have to be taken down, as well as part of Pacific Plaza.

“This will definitely smooth things out, maybe it will make traffic easier, it will make people more likely to use the downtown — that certainly is a possibility as we always hope.”

While the design includes space for an active transportation bridge, he said it doesn’t preclude the city from working on a new Eighth Street bridge.

“In my opinion, it should not replace our efforts to have a connection from Eighth or Ninth Street into the north end … I think that’s definitely still on the table.”

A document from the province outlines four possible options for the bridge. Two options show a straight bridge — both of which require buildings or businesses that would have to be purchased on either side of the bridge to build the bridge.

Option three, the preferred option, lists two buildings near Stickney Avenue that would have to be purchased, along with several on the south side of the bridge. According to the design document, two buildings on the southeast corner of the bridge have to be purchased entirely.

The preferred design comes as a result of several sessions of stakeholder meetings, including with the City of Brandon, CP Rail, bridge users and nearby residents.

Funding for the project was announced in this year’s provincial budget. According to the design document, the bridge is planned to cost approximately $68 million.

The next step is to produce a detailed design and to acquire the necessary land. Construction is anticipated to start in spring 2021.

» dmay@brandonsun.com

» Twitter: @DrewMay_