The iconic Portage & Main intersection in downtown Winnipeg is set to open up to pedestrians on Friday.
The busy roadway has been closed to pedestrians since 1979.
In March 2024, Mayor Scott Gillingham recommended the intersection be reopened, as the costs to repair the Portage and Main underground began to soar.
Construction to take down the barricades at Portage and Main began in October 2024, with several lane closures throughout the following months.
Over the past several months, work to reopen the intersection stayed on schedule and within budget, with traffic continuing to move smoothly through the area.
This week, only a few temporary barricades remain, and they’re set to come down Friday, allowing pedestrians to pass through for the first time in 46 years.
The reopening also coincides with the June 29 launch of the Primary Transit Network, which will also move buses off most of Graham.
That move will leave four blocks of Graham without any vehicle traffic, replacing the area with pedestrian-friendly amenities and new protected bike lanes.
"This is a great opportunity to change how people experience this part of our downtown," said Mayor Scott Gillingham. "We’re turning Graham into a street full of life and local creativity. This transformation will bring more people and energy downtown – and it complements re-opening Portage and Main, launching our new transit network, and investing in new residential and commercial developments."
Council funded the placemaking pilot in 2025 as the first step toward this long-term vision. It will consider funding future phases in future budget processes