CN to help fund Waverley Underpass project

Canadian officials gathered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, last week to officially break ground on the Waverley Street project to replace an existing grade crossing with an underpass.

Funded in part by CN, the project will cost 155 million Canadian dollars. It will replace a grade crossing where 20,000 vehicles and 35 to 40 trains pass through on a daily basis, according to a press release issued by the city.

The governments of Canada and Manitoba are each contributing up to CA$45.9 million to the project through the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component – National and Regional Projects. CN is contributing CA$9.5 million; the city is covering the remaining costs.

"As Winnipeg grows towards one million people, it is crucial to have a transportation system that is efficient at moving people, and investments like this position Winnipeg to handle steady growth into the future,” said Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman.

In early 2014, Winnipeg officials initiated a preliminary design study for the project, which was conducted by Dillon Consulting and AECOM.

A four-lane detour road is now under construction to keep traffic moving while the underpass is built. The underpass is expected to open by the end of 2019.