South Winnipeg river crossing concerns raised
CBC News
Posted: Feb 9, 2012 8:54 AM CST
Last Updated: Feb 9, 2012 8:52 AM CST
Some residents of Winnipeg's south St. Vital neighbourhood say they are worried about the possible location of a foot bridge or gondola across the Red River.
The city is eyeing several potential sites for an active transportation crossing that would connect south St. Vital to Fort Garry.
About 200 people who attended a public meeting on Wednesday evening learned that city officials are looking at three different pedestrian and cyclist bridge proposals, as well as a proposal for a gondola.
"We don't have the money set aside yet, so let's hear from the public," St. Vital Coun. Brian Mayes told CBC News at the meeting.
"I've heard everything from 'This is the worst idea ever' and 'We don't have the money' to 'This is great.'"
Some residents said they are concerned about one potential location, from St. Amant to the University of Manitoba, especially given the Winnipeg Blue Bombers' new stadium is set to open on the university campus later this year.
"We don't want to see our neighbourhood become a parking lot on game day for Bomber games," said resident Stephen Johns.
Kelly Hunter, whose 11-year-old daughter lives at St. Amant — a residential facility for Manitobans with autism and developmental disabilities — said he worries about University of Manitoba students using the area as a parking lot.
"She needs the level of care that they can provide, but we don't need an extra parking issue on top of all the other things we're trying to deal with," he said.
Another public meeting is scheduled for Thursday evening at the University of Manitoba.
City officials are expected to present council with the public's input about the river crossing proposals by the spring.
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