Reopening Portage and Main ‘a success,’ Winnipeg mayor says 1 year later

Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham declared the reopening of the city's iconic Portage Avenue and Main Street intersection to pedestrians a success, one year after its controversial closure ended. The intersection, which had been blocked by concrete barricades since February 1979, was reopened on June 27, 2025. Manitoba Public Insurance reported no pedestrian-involved collisions at the intersection in the past year. Vehicle collisions saw a slight increase of just over 7 percent, with 168 reports compared to a five-year average of 156.

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Opening Portage and Main to pedestrians has been a success. It looks better at that intersection, and it’s great to see pedestrians crossing on a regular basis.

Gillingham highlighted the positive visual impact and the regular presence of pedestrians, stating the reopened intersection is central to fostering "a healthier, stronger city." He linked the move to broader downtown revitalization, citing the upcoming grocery store at the former Portage Place mall and other housing and business developments.

City Coun. Jeff Browaty, who previously opposed the reopening, admitted the traffic impacts were less severe than anticipated, partly crediting the removal of a driver turning lane. He noted that some organizations have moved into the area since the reopening and suggested private investment may follow the return of foot traffic. Browaty envisions the area becoming a "cool walkable space" for summer, drawing parallels to pedestrian zones in Calgary and Ottawa.

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The impacts of traffic were not as bad as I expected.

While the intersection itself remains a key traffic thoroughfare, the future of the underground pathway and its businesses is still under consideration. The city of Winnipeg indicated that a cost-benefit analysis regarding the concourse's viability will be presented.

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In terms of the actual intersection itself, it’s still going to be a major traffic-moving piece.