Southwest Transitway
The Southwest Transitway (Stage 2) opened on April 12, 2020, launching with new routes and schedules in Southwest Winnipeg.
The changes include the introduction of 15 new bus routes, including BLUE rapid transit line service along the Transitway. More information about changes to service in the area and operation on the Southwest Transitway is available on the BLUE rapid transit line page.
The Southwest Transitway is a dedicated high-speed roadway for buses, physically separated from the regular street system linking Downtown to the southwest part of the city. Buses operate at speeds up to 80 km/h, free of any other traffic, providing very fast, reliable service.
The changes were informed by feedback from Winnipeggers and approved by City Council in fall of 2020.
Stage 1 of the Southwest Transitway, completed in 2012, runs from Queen Elizabeth Way & Stradbrook Avenue to Pembina Highway and Jubilee Avenue. With the opening of Stage 2, the 11-kilometre Southwest Transitway now operates from Downtown to the neighbourhoods of Southwest Winnipeg, including the University of Manitoba.
- Timeline
- Updates
- Background
- Documents
- Engage
- FAQs
- Routes
- Maps
- Photos
- Videos
- Related Links
Project Timeline
Updates
SWT2 Website Update – October 2019:
Construction on the Southwest Transitway Stage 2 project is substantially complete. Landscaping and finishing work along the corridor continue through the winter in anticipation of the new Transitway opening in April 2020.
The newly-widened and reconstructed Pembina Highway Underpass is now open, as are the active transportation pathways running along the full length of the Transitway. The newly-constructed Brenda Leipsic Dog Park located off Hurst Way will be open to the public this fall. The Southwest Transitway Stage 2 stations and park and rides will open in April 2020.
As part of the project, ‘fully actuated’ traffic signals were installed along the corridor at the following transitway intersections: Georgina Street, Clarence Avenue, Chevrier Boulevard, Chancellor Drive, Markham Road and Southpark Drive. ‘Fully actuated’ traffic signals detect vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists approaching the intersection. The lights are triggered to change when pedestrians, cyclists, or vehicles approach the intersection. At all other times, the lights are set to provide a green light to vehicles on the surrounding streets. The City’s Traffic Management Centre will monitor transitway intersections to evaluate their impact on all road users on an ongoing basis and adjust the traffic signal timing based on observations and feedback.
Bus service on the Southwest Transitway (Stage 2) will begin in April 2020 after a period of testing and commissioning which will include operator training, and will coincide with Transit’s spring schedule change.
Background
Southwest Transitway Benefits
The Transitway alignment bypasses several areas of traffic congestion on Pembina Highway (the major arterial along the corridor).
With the southwest area’s population expected to grow by 40% by 2030, the Transitway is essential to realize a mode shift required to moderate traffic demand on the roadway network and to improve the overall performance of the transportation system.
Stage 1 of the Transitway has already stimulated new development approvals, including a transit-oriented community of more than 1,000 dwellings in the Fort Rouge Yards adjacent to the completed Stage 1 Transitway, and two new mixed-used towers near Osborne Station and Harkness Station. An additional 1,300 residential units have been approved for Bishop Grandin Crossing (Hopewell Lands). Further development is planned in the Parker Lands and Southwood Golf Course Lands.
Improved travel time savings of transit relative to automobile travel. The Stage 1 section of the Southwest Transitway has yielded travel time savings of 4-8 minutes on trips between the centre of Downtown and the University of Manitoba, with greater time savings being realized during peak periods. Given the greater length of Stage 2, it is expected that 5-8 minutes of time savings will result from the construction of Stage 2, depending on the time of day.
New active transportation (AT) facilities including new bicycle and pedestrians paths, connections to existing paths, covered bike racks and lockers at the stations, and bike racks on rapid transit buses.
Southwest Transitway Stage 2 Alignment Final Report
Winnipeg Transit and the Province of Manitoba retained a consulting firm in 2012 to examine alignment options for Stage 2 of the Southwest Transitway. The report can be found below:
Background Information
For an overview of the Southwest Rapid Transitway Stage 2 or for the Southwest Rapid Transitway Stage 2 Alignment choice click on the fact sheets below:
Southwest Rapid Transitway Stage 2 funding
The Southwest Rapid Transitway (Stage 2) and Pembina Highway Underpass project is being proposed as a public-private-partnership or P3. Under a P3 project, the design and construction work is bundled together. The private sector partner takes on all design, co-ordination and construction risks. As well, the private sector partner has an incentive to produce a design that can be efficiently constructed and that can be properly maintained. Under a P3 project, maintenance is included as part of the “bundle.” The constructor has to stand by the project for 30 years and maintain it in good working order. Under this arrangement, the constructor has a real stake in the project’s long-term durability because after 30 years it must be turned back over to the City in essentially “as new” condition.
A P3 must also demonstrate value for money, i.e. it must give the City better value for its dollars than the usual way of constructing a project. Dillon Consulting and Deloitte have been working with the City to develop a P3 Business Case and Value for Money (VFM) assessment for this project. A summary report of the Business Case and Value for Money assessment is available here. It is expected that constructing the Southwest Rapid Transitway (Stage 2) and Pembina Highway Underpass project as a P3 using a design-build-finance-(operate)-maintain (DBFM) model, the City will achieve VFM savings of 13 percent. Redacted version of the full P3 business case.
In order to fulfill the requirements of the Province of Manitoba’s Public-Private Partnerships Transparency & Accountability Act, which was enacted in June 2012, the citizens of Winnipeg were invited to the June 3, 2014 meeting of the Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal & Public Works, which served as the required Public Meeting for the proposed P3 project. A report on the Public Meeting can be viewed by clicking on the link below:
* Report on P3 Public Meeting for SW Rapid Transitway Stage 2 & Pembina Underpass project (2014-07-09)
The official agenda, minutes and disposition of the June 3, 2014, meeting of the Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal & Public works are available on Winnipeg.ca. In support of the project, a benefit-cost analysis was carried out by HDR Decision Economics Inc., which determined that the project had a Benefit-Cost Ratio of 1.37. A redacted version of the cost-benefit analysis report was also developed.
A funding application to PPP Canada was made in 2014. On February 9, 2015, the federal government announced that it will contribute up to $137.3 million to the Southwest Transitway (Stage 2) through the PPP Canada fund, while the Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg will contribute the balance of the project costs.
Note: Some text may be redacted in the documents posted on this page. The reason for this is to protect commercially sensitive information so that we do not jeopardize the competitiveness of the P3 procurement process.
The 2016 Value for Money report on Stage 2 of the Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor can be found here – Southwest Transitway (Stage 2) and Pembina Underpass project – Value for Money Report – Dec 2016
Southwest Transitway Routes
Click on a link below for individual Rapid Transit service route maps
- 64 – Lindenwoods Express
- 65 – Grant Express
- 66 – Grant
- 137 – Richmond Super Express
- 160 – Downtown – U of M
- 161 – University Super Express
- 162 – Downtown – Ft. Richmond (U of M) – St. Norbert Express
- 163 – Waverley Heights Express
- 170 – Downtown – Ft. Richmond (U of M) – St. Norbert
- 180 – Industrial Express
- 181 – Whyte Ridge Express
- 183 – Richmond West Express
- 185 – Osborne Village Express
Non-Rapid Transit service operating along Pembina between Osborne & Stafford
Feeder route service maps – that link to rapid transit service
Documents
Engage
Winnipeg Transit is proposing improved bus routes in southwest Winnipeg that will coincide with the opening of the Southwest Transitway (Stage 2) in spring 2020. Please visit the Routes tab for more information.
Winnipeg Transit has refined the recommended routes with the help of the input collected from the public. The routes will be shared with Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works for consideration on November 4, 2019. City Council is expected to make a final decision on the Public Service’s recommendation later in fall 2019. A notification campaign will occur in spring 2020 to inform passengers of the route changes and revised schedule, subject to Council approval, before the opening of the Southwest Transitway in April 2020.
FAQs
The Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor is a dedicated, high-speed roadway for buses, physically separated from the regular street system, that will complete a high-speed link from Winnipeg’s downtown to the southwest quadrant of the city. On the Transitway, buses provide fast, reliable service, unaffected by traffic congestion and other incidents and delays that occur on the regular street system.
Date added: January 13, 2017
When Stage 2 of the project is complete and operational in 2020, the Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor will link Winnipeg’s downtown to all of the city’s southwest neighbourhoods, including the University of Manitoba and Investors Group Field. Existing feeder routes in the southwest quadrant of the city will connect with the rapid transit corridor.
Stage 1 of the Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor is operational and runs from Queen Elizabeth Way and Stradbrook to Pembina and Jubilee.
Date added: January 13, 2017
Project construction on Stage 2 of the Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor began in August 2016 and is expected to be completed in late 2019. A period of testing and training will follow completion of construction, with the new transitway anticipated to be operational in April 2020.
The City and its project partners are committed to keeping residents fully informed about temporary construction impacts such as lane closures and access restrictions. Updated construction timelines and advisories are available in the Updates tab, and residents and businesses who may be affected by nearby construction will be advised in advance.
Date added: January 13, 2017
Once completed, the Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor will link downtown with the city’s southwest neighbourhoods. Stage 1, which originates downtown and terminates at Pembina and Jubilee, is currently operational. Stage 2 will extend the rapid transit link southward, terminating at the University of Manitoba/Investors Group Field. From Pembina and Jubilee, Stage 2 of the transitway will be routed along Parker Avenue to Hurst Way, reconnecting with Pembina Highway near the intersection of Pembina and Chevrier Blvd. The transitway will continue to run parallel to Pembina Highway until Markham Avenue. From Markham, rapid transit vehicles will enter the University of Manitoba campus to service the university and Investors Group Field. View a map of the Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor.
Date added: January 13, 2017
Modern, accessible, weather-protected stations will be built at key locations along the transitway and will connect with all existing active transportation routes that intersect with the transitway. All stations will offer prominent, real-time next bus displays, and will include bike lockers for those who commute to a rapid transit station and then bus to their final destination.
Date added: January 13, 2017
New rapid transit stations along the Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor include:
The principal bus stops at the University of Manitoba along Dafoe Road will also be upgraded.
Chevrier, Clarence and McGillivray stations will be park-and-ride stations with ample on-site parking for commuters.
Parker station will be a kiss-and-ride station. A kiss-and-ride station has a vehicle lane up to the station for quick and convenient passenger drop-offs and pick-ups.
Date added: January 13, 2017
Modern, climate-controlled, GPS-connected buses will operate on the transitway. Buses have the advantage of being able to operate both on and off the transitway, collecting passengers along the regular street system and delivering high-speed service on the dedicated rapid transit corridor.
Date added: January 13, 2017
Winnipeg Transit is proposing updated, improved bus routes in southwest Winnipeg that will coincide with the opening of the Southwest Transitway (Stage 2) in spring 2020. Please visit the Routes tab for more information.
Date added: January 13, 2017
The implementation of the proposed new routes using a spine and feeder network will ensure optimal use of Winnipeg Transit’s resources so that it can improve the delivery of efficient, fast, and reliable transit service for residents in the southwest of the City.
Date added: January 13, 2017
Construction impact questions
Most of the construction work on the transitway will not directly impact regular vehicle traffic. There will be occasional lane closures and access restrictions on Pembina Highway, particularly at the Pembina Highway Underpass, where traffic will be restricted to two lanes in each direction for three construction seasons.
The Pembina Highway Underpass will be closed with no access to vehicles on up to five occasions during the project. Access for buses and emergency vehicles will be maintained. Closures will begin after Friday rush hour and end before Monday rush hour. During these closures, the Jubilee overpass ramp will remain open at all times.
Clear signage will be erected in advance of any construction that affects public thoroughfares, and local residents and businesses directly affected by the closures will be contacted. Construction updates will be posted on the Updates tab.
For information on current and upcoming lane closures, go to the Public Works lane closure map.
Date added: June 9, 2017
The City and its partners are committed to ensuring that project-related construction causes the least amount of disruption possible. The majority of the construction work will take place during regular daytime hours. Occasionally, work may need to continue after regular hours to help ensure construction on major thoroughfares is completed as quickly as possible, with the aim of minimizing disruptions to commuters along major routes.
Date added: January 13, 2017
The City has engaged directly with residents who live near the transitway. Project plans reflect feedback from residents and include measures to mitigate noise and vibration for nearby homeowners. The concrete works for the Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor are designed to minimize vibration from transit vehicles. The project also includes construction of a noise attenuation wall from Bishop Grandin to Markham, on City property adjacent to residents’ property lines. Residents directly affected by the noise attenuation wall will be contacted prior to construction.
Date added: January 13, 2017
During project construction, some temporary closures may impact pedestrians and cyclists. Signage will be posted in advance of any closure or re-routing, and alternative access for pedestrian and cyclist traffic will be provided where possible. Local residents and businesses directly affected by the closures will be contacted. Pedestrians will have access to the Pembina Highway Underpass for the duration of the project.
The Pembina Highway Underpass will be fully closed to all traffic, pedestrians, and cyclists on up to five occasions during the project. Closures will begin after Friday rush hour and end before Monday rush hour. During these closures, the Jubilee overpass ramp will remain open at all times.
Pedestrian and cyclist access will be maintained during weekend closures by a shuttle service, with two pick-up and drop-off points located north of the underpass on the east side of Pembina Highway opposite Harrow Street, and south of the underpass on the east side at the Jubilee Avenue yield onto Pembina Highway. Both pedestrians and cyclists will be required to use the shuttle service during the closures.
Enhanced active transportation infrastructure, improved safety and connectivity are important parts of the Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor project. All existing active transportation routes that intersect with the Transitway will be connected to the enhanced active transportation network.
Date added: June 9, 2017
We are happy to announce a partial opening of the Brenda Leipsic Dog Park portion of the Southwest Transitway project. While the park was initially scheduled to open in its entirety this fall, the grass is not adequately established and wouldn’t yet withstand anticipated traffic. Visitors can now enter the park via a temporary entrance off the Southwest Transit Park-and-Ride lot at Willson Place and Fennell Street, and are currently limited to the 1-hectare area within the wood fence. We’ve left the larger area closed for now to give the new grass time to grow strong enough to survive many years of happy paws; we anticipate opening this larger area in late 2020. At that time, we will close the small area and begin rehabilitating and establishing its grass. We hope to open the full park in 2021.
Date added: December 9, 2019
During the construction period, it is not anticipated that there will be impacts on existing service. As segments of the transitway are completed, some routes may be modified to take advantage of the new infrastructure, such as park and ride service to events at Investors Group Field.
Date added: January 13, 2017
Active transportation and other improvements
The Pembina Highway Underpass at Pembina and Jubilee will be widened and enhanced for the benefit of all users. Pembina Highway will be reconstructed and widened to three lanes each way from Stafford Street to Point Road to improve traffic flow, and new active transportation pathways will be added to both the east and west sides of the underpass to improve access and safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
Date added: January 13, 2017
Active transportation is an important part of the project. A modern, protected, accessible active transportation path will run along the full length of the transitway and will be connected to all intersecting active transportation routes. The active transportation route will be illuminated at night for enhanced visibility and safety.
Date added: January 13, 2017
Project background
Stage 1 of the transitway, which runs from downtown to the Pembina Highway Underpass at Pembina and Jubilee, became operational in 2012. In June of 2014, City Council approved Stage 2 of the project to complete the rapid transit link from downtown to the University of Manitoba, as well as neighbourhoods in the fast-growing southwestern quadrant of the city. A request for proposals was issued in 2015, and in June of 2016 the successful design consortium – Plenary Roads Winnipeg – was awarded the contract to design, build, and maintain the Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor. Construction began in the fall of 2016.
Date added: January 13, 2017
Project costs are shared by all three levels of government. The federal government committed $137.3 million through the PPP (public-private partnership) Canada fund in February 2015. The Province of Manitoba and City of Winnipeg will contribute the balance of project costs. A competitive bidding process and final design changes reduced project costs by $120 million from initial estimates. Total project cost, including the transitway, redeveloped Pembina Highway Underpass, and new active transportation infrastructure is $467.3 million. The Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor and Pembina Highway Underpass project is a public-private partnership.
Date added: January 13, 2017
The Stage 2 route was selected to bypass areas of significant traffic congestion on Pembina Highway and ultimately improve travel times and service reliability between downtown and the southwestern quadrant of the city. Property requirements, interaction with cross-street traffic, cost and impact on existing businesses and homes were all factors taken into consideration during the route selection process. The selected route also provides the greatest opportunities for new transit-oriented development along the transitway.
Date added: January 13, 2017
BRT can travel on both regular city streets and the high-speed transitway, allowing far greater integration with existing transit routes. BRT infrastructure has been designed with the growth of the city in mind, and could be transitioned to LRT as required.
Date added: January 13, 2017
Winnipeg’s Transportation Master Plan sets out proposed routes for future high-speed transit corridors, with the aim of developing an integrated rapid transit network to serve all areas of the city. The Master Plan identified the Eastern Rapid Transit Corridor (ERTC) as the next phase of rapid transit to be developed in Winnipeg following Stage 2 of the SWRT. The ERTC is anticipated to link downtown Winnipeg with Transcona. Work on the functional study for the ERTC will commence in the fall of 2016 with expected completion of the study in 2018.
Date added: January 13, 2017
Routes
Winnipeg Transit is rolling out changes to bus routes in Southwest Winnipeg to coincide with the opening of the Southwest Transitway on April 12, 2020.
The BLUE rapid transit line will operate on the Transitway, providing frequent, reliable service between Downtown, the University of Manitoba, and St. Norbert. With the debut of BLUE, some current routes are being replaced with new ones, while other routes are being changed.
Passengers riding the BLUE rapid transit line will bypass congestion on Pembina Highway, travelling at speeds up to 80 km/h.
Short feeder routes will bring passengers from neighbourhoods in Southwest Winnipeg to stations where they can transfer to the BLUE rapid transit line, as well as major stops on Pembina Highway.
Click the map to view a printable version of the new Southwest Winnipeg network
Transfers between BLUE and feeder routes are by design and help ensure frequent, reliable service to Southwest Winnipeg:
- The BLUE rapid transit line will operate at a high-frequency. When buses arrive often, they are less crowded and wait times are short.
- Because the feeder routes to not go into Downtown, they are less likely to experience delays due to traffic.
Along the Transitway, new stations have been built and outfitted with amenities – such as heated bus shelters, new digital displays and public art – to make transfers between the feeder routes and the BLUE rapid transit line more comfortable.
Click the button below for more information on changes to Transit in Southwest Winnipeg and the BLUE rapid transit line.
Maps
Click on the map above to open a larger pdf map that you can zoom in on to see specific details of the project.
Click on the map above to open a larger pdf map.
Photos
Overhead Shots of the Southwest Transitway Construction Activities from June 2019
Overhead Shots of the 2018 Southwest Transitway Construction Activities
Lettelier overpass construction
Noise wall construction between Markham and Chancellor
Overhead shots of the 2017 Southwest Transitway construction activities
Beaumont Station, Seel Station, and McGillivray Overpass work
Bishop Grandin Overpass
Pembina Jubilee pump station and underpass construction
CN Portage Wye construction
University of Manitoba Station construction
Stadium Station construction
2016 Construction Activities
2016 saw construction begin on stage 2 of the Southwest Transitway. Work began in the Southwood lands, at Investors Group Field, and at the Pembina/Jubilee overpass. A summary of the work can be found here: 2016 SWRTC construction activities.
2016 Construction photos can be found on our 2016 construction photo page.
Videos
Driving tour of the Southwest Transitway Stage 2 - Fall 2019.
Time lapse of the crowd arriving at Stadium Station for the the Banjo Bowl in the fall of 2017.
Time lapse of the crowd leaving the Banjo Bowl and boarding buses at Stadium Station in the fall of 2017.
This video shows Stadium Station being used after a Winnipeg Blue Bomber game in the fall of 2017.
The video below provides an aerial flyover of the completed Stadium Station. This video follows Bohemier Trail from Pembina to University Crescent.
The video below provides an aerial flyover of the completed Stadium Station. This video follows the Active Transportation path from Pembina Highway, along Bohemier Trail, Markham Road, and along University Crescent.
The video below provides an aerial flyover of 2016 construction activity on the Southwest Rapid Transitway in the Southwood lands.
Related Links
- OurWinnipeg presents a 25-year vision for the entire city. It positions Winnipeg for sustainable growth, which is key to our future competitiveness.
- OurWinnipeg City of Winnipeg OurWinnipeg plan
