Saturday, May 30, 2020

Empress Bike and Walking Path

When the Winnipeg Blue Bombers moved to the University of Manitoba campus, the city promised that the sale of the both arena and stadium land would lead to road improvements with the new cash. Well, it didn't quite work out that way for the land sale. However, the cash has come regardless because after years of heavy use from retail and recreation, St. James, Empress and several cross streets were in rough shape.

St. James has been improved for a long stretch and they continue in and around Sargent where the Superstore is. Empress has been worked on from the overpass to Ellice or so. As the soil indicates, they are doing the landscape as well as sidewalk and cycling path construction now.
What is coming is wide, beside the creek, on a path that has been used for decades by citizens even when not official.
It will be lined with ornamental lamps and if Polo Park is developed for residential, this pathway will prove prescient. Empty or underutilized parking lots helps no one. Polo Park has used more of their space for restaurants and retail but I don't think anyone can disagree that the online world is changing eating and shopping habits.
The city deserves full credit. Well marked off parking spaces, smooth road, nice touch with lights, wide sidewalk and walking path coming.
This is very much going to be liked by a whole lots of people when it is done.

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