Residents of northeast Winnipeg took advantage of opportunities to review the city’s active transportation plans for their neighbourhoods last week.

The city held two public consultations, the first at Miles Macdonell Collegiate on April 6 regarding Elmwood and East Kildonan, the second at St. Michael’s Parish Hall on April 8 regarding Transcona.

Kevin Nixon, the city’s active transportation coordinator, said the public consultations are important because they allow the city to gauge residents’ opinions on this year’s active transportation projects.

"Whatever we design, we have to make sure it fits with the neighbourhood and we need input to do that correctly," he said. "So far the response has been very positive and we’ve redesigned some things based on neighbourhood input."

At the April 6 meeting, the discussion focussed on the Brazier/Roch Bikeway, a 7.5 km bike boulevard designed to offer an alternative to cycling on Henderson Highway.

On April 8, the discussion focussed on the Transcona Trail, a 5.75 km multi-use pathway connected eastern Transcona with the rest of the city; the Dugald Pathway, a 3.3 km connection between Transcona and downtown Winnipeg; as well as the Pandora Pathway and Chief Peguis Trail.

Participants filled out surveys and Nixon said the city will review their comments and any criticisms before finalizing the design of each project and starting construction. All the active transportation projects discussed at the public consultations will be completed by the end of this year.

Louise Balaban of the River East Neighbourhood Network Trail Committee attended the April 6 meeting and was very impressed with the city’s plans.

"It’s great that the city is starting to do things like this," she said.

"It will help cyclists and it will encourage more people to cycle. It really is a no-brainer."

ryan.crocker@canstarnews.com