Marilyn's Photos - June 28 2025 - Portage and Main sees the light of day
I've somehow thought that Portage and Main might be the centre point of Canada. In fact, it is called the crossroads of Canada and it is close to the longitudinal centre of Canada. So forcing pedestrians to cross the heart of Canada in complicated underground tunnels is a nasty metaphor. It isn't the one AI says - "can be viewed as a metaphor for prioritizing vehicle traffic and economic development over pedestrian accessibility and the vibrancy of urban spaces." That's actually what happened in 1979 and the impacts can be measured over the decades.
How did it come about? "Trizec promised to build two office towers and a hotel on the southwest corner of Portage and Main, along with an underground retail space that would double as a heated, sheltered crossing for pedestrians, saving them from Winnipeg's winter winds." So aren't we back to one of my themes - "Money is the root" - everything can be traced as coming from money and going to money.
How do I conclude this? It is the explanation of the reopening of Portage and Main. The report was that it would cost a whopping $73 million to bring it up to current safety standards and maintain it. Add to that four to five years of traffic delays. Removing barricades and redesigning crossings and curbings, and then install lights - that was in the $20 to $50 million range. So we who use our feet have a $ value in Winnipeg.
I return to the metaphor of Portage and Main as the centre, or heart, of Canada. The intersection became the centre of plebiscites, mayoral platforms and continuing political debate. So much activity seems to indicate there is "Canadian identity" at stake here.
And so the battle has been won - the heart of Canada will again see the light officially on July 1st 2025 at 10:30am when the pedestrian signals start.
There have to be jokes about this most famous intersection:
I tried to make a joke about Portage and Main, but it was too congested.
Why was the map of Winnipeg always getting lost? It never had a proper *Portage* through the city.
Why did the pigeon get a job at Portage and Main? He heard it was the crossroads of opportunity.
I tried to make a joke about Portage and Main, but it was too *crossing*.
This is Martagon lily time -lots of little fairy flowers on a long stem - so a pretty show in the garden. I remember a grower showing me pictures of his Martagons in his Winnipeg garden - they were 3 to 4 times the height of my lilies - probably more than 30 flowers on a stem six feet high. I wonder if that makes Winnipeg a destination town.
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