Canadian and Winnipeg government officials have officially initiated construction works of the Waverley Street Underpass project.

The C$155m ($113m) multi-faceted project will see the construction of an underpass at the Waverley Street and Taylor Avenue, replacing the existing at-grade railway crossing.

Nearly, 30,000 vehicles and around 35 and 40 trains pass through this rail crossing on a day to day basis.

For this project, the governments of Canada and Manitoba will be providing C$45.9m ($33.6m) individually, under the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component – National and Regional Projects, and the City of Winnipeg will be providing remaining cost.

The Canadian National (CN) Railway is also contributing C$9.5m ($6.9m) to the City’s share of the project.

The project also includes reconstruction and rehabilitation of Waverley Street works and expansion of Taylor Avenue between Waverley Street and Lindsay Street to four lanes.

Canada Minister of Natural Resources Jim Carr said: “Our government is working with our partners, the Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg to ensure we make smart infrastructure investments that help grow the middle class, make our cities safer and more livable.

“Investment in Winnipeg’s road infrastructure is crucial, and the Waverley Street Underpass project will help improve traffic flow and increase safety for everyone.”

Upon completion, the project is expected to reduce traffic congestion and improve safety, capacity as well as enhances pedestrian and cycling opportunities.

City of Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman said: “Today’s sod-turning on the Waverley Underpass marks an important milestone towards improving the flow of traffic in this part of the City.

"Investment in Winnipeg’s road infrastructure is crucial, and the Waverley Street Underpass project will help improve traffic flow and increase safety for everyone."

“As Winnipeg grows towards one million people, it is crucial to have a transportation system that is efficient at moving people and investments like this position Winnipeg to handle steady growth into the future.”

In addition, several other works will be carried out by the officials later this year as part of this project, which includes a rail detour, pedestrian and cycling detour, Grant Avenue and Waverley Street intersection improvements as well as rehabilitation of Waverley Street between Mathers and Grant Avenues.  

The project is expected to be complete by 2019, with some minor work such as landscaping continuing into 2020.

In order to ensure an uninterrupted traffic flow, the officials are constructing a four-lane detour road.

Image: A railway bridge. Photo: courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net/Exsodus.