Prep for Southwest Transitway Corridor Phase 2 begins on Fort Garry campus

Beginning March 2016, the City of Winnipeg will begin the removal of designated trees in the Southwood Lands in preparation for construction of the Southwest Rapid Transitway Stage 2 project. The University of Manitoba is developing a replacement plan and tree-planting strategy, with costs reimbursed through an agreement with the City. Signs indicating designated clearing will be posted at various locations along the right-of-way for the eventual route, including at the U of M: at SouthPark and Pembina in the Southwood Lands; along Markham where the future transitway will intersect with the roadway; and near Fairway Woods.

Stage 2 of the transitway will extend south to the University of Manitoba Fort Garry campus and Investor’s Group Field. Construction is expected to begin in the summer of 2016, with completion in late 2019. Operations on the new transitway are expected to commence in April 2020.

The University leadership has supported the extension of rapid bus transit from the beginning. The transitway will provide students, faculty and staff a fast, safe and environmentally sustainable means of transit, making it more more accessible to visitors for sporting events, concerts, gallery exhibits, public lectures at the Fort Garry campus.

Removal of designated trees needs to be done prior to the nesting season of migratory birds to mitigate potential impacts of a later removal; a bid opportunity has already been issued for the preparatory work. Trees within a buffer area between the Fairway Woods condominiums and the transitway will remain, pending a final landscape design for the buffer area and for the balance of the transitway in the vicinity. Trees being removed will be recycled for use as local lumber where possible and remaining trees or brush will be recycled as chip material.

The University has conducted a tree inventory and is developing a tree replacement and planting plan. The plan will be developed in accordance with the open space framework policy of the Visionary (re)Generation Master Plan, focusing on prominent public spaces that will improve the pedestrian experience on campus. Cost of trees will be reimbursed through the City, and put towards the replanting strategy.

More information about the planned transitway can be found in the Q+A below and in this Winnipeg Transit Open House Presentation from May 2015.

Q+A

When does construction for the Southwest Transitway Corridor Phase 2 project begin?
The contract for the final design is expected before summer 2016 and the start of construction will follow.

Why is the City of Winnipeg removing trees on University of Manitoba property?
The University of Manitoba has given the City of Winnipeg permission to remove designated trees as part of the Transitway agreement.

Why and when do the trees need to be removed?
Designated tree removals are required to clear a path for the transitway corridor and active transportation pathway. Since the alignment for the transitway has been confirmed, initial ground preparations can begin to take place in advance of the detailed design of the transitway components. It is important for this clearing to be undertaken prior to the spring thaw to avoid disruption to any nesting birds that may be making their way through in the months to come and prior to any spring growth on the adjacent trees.

What are the plans for disposal of the removed trees?
Trees that have been removed will be considered individually for salvage as a local lumber product, and the remaining materials used for recycled chip product.

How will trees be replaced and replanted?
The U of M has conducted a tree inventory and is developing a replacement plan and tree-planting strategy in accordance with the Visionary (re)Generation Master Plan, focusing on prominent public spaces that will improve the pedestrian experience on campus. Cost of trees to be removed and replanted will be reimbursed through an agreement with the City.