Pedestrian scramble crossing may be coming to Exchange District intersection

Pedestrians may soon be able to cross an intersection in Winnipeg's Exchange District in all directions at the same time, if a proposed scramble crossing is approved.

A pilot project proposed by the city's public service department would allow such a crossing at King Street and Bannatyne Avenue. If the project is approved, it will be the first of its kind in Winnipeg.

The pedestrian scramble approach is used at intersections in many other cities, where traffic lights stop cars in all directions to allow pedestrians to cross in multiple directions, including, in some cases, diagonally.

The pedestrian scramble is one solution put forward by the city's public service in a new report prepared for city council's public works committee.

The report recommends the King and Bannatyne scramble be tested as a pilot project this year, but doesn't offer a specific start date for the pilot.

It says a report on the pilot would be delivered in April 2026.

Pilot project

The report says pedestrian scrambles can improve safety, but that they "are not suitable for all intersections."

Two options were developed for the pilot, but the public service recommends the lower-cost route, which would not involve constructing diagonal crosswalks.

"What it's proposing is a low-budget approach to it, in that the scramble would be going to the intersections, it wouldn't be diagonal," Coun. Janice Lukes, who chairs the public works committee, said in a scrum at city hall Wednesday.

That option would allow pedestrians moving in the same direction as drivers to continue to cross at the same time, the report says. A third signal phase would be added for the pedestrian scramble, during which motorists would have a red light and all pedestrian "walk" signals would light up. Pedestrians would be allowed to cross on the existing crosswalks. 

"Changes to intersection geometry and traffic signal infrastructure are not required with the low-cost option. The only change needed is to signal timing plans," the report says.

That means it would cost around $1,000 to implement the low-cost option, according to the city report.

Lukes says the other option, which would allow diagonal crossing, would involve curb cutting and accessibility features.

That option would come with an estimated price tag of $360,000, the report says.

It also says piloting the lower-cost option will highlight the benefits and tradeoffs of the project, and better inform the city and public before committing to a higher-cost option.

In April 2024, the intersection of Osborne Street and River Avenue was considered for a pedestrian scramble, but the idea was rejected over concerns about delays to both vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

The city's public service was initially given 120 days, followed by two extensions, to find other options for other possible scramble crossing locations. That led to a short list of four intersections that met operational impact screening requirements.

Pedestrian scrambles are most suitable at small intersections with heavy pedestrian traffic, low vehicle volumes and nearby destinations, the report says.

King Street and Bannatyne Avenue was chosen because of its proximity to Old Market Square and the already relatively high pedestrian activity in the area.

The public works committee meeting will consider the proposal at its March 4 meeting.