Thread by @mmarginet

I took a walk around Portage+Main today! I know lots of Winnipeggers experience it from their cars, so join me as I go on an adventure!

1st thing spotted while approaching on NW corner, full bike rack. 21% of 'peggers currently bike regularly. #portageandmain

My quest: make it across the intersection to the BMO building! It's so pretty. I've lived here for 17 yrs, just realized I'd never actually been there. So, you know, there's a hint that something's not working.
Starting the clock! ⏱️
#portageandmain

3/ Ok, so 1st thing to note, you can't "just go one extra block" around, when that block doesn't actually connect. Here's Lombard, but I can't reach it from here on the W side of Main.
I see you over there Lombard!
#portageandmain

To my left, you'll see a surface parking lot behind a falling down fence. I know, you're saying "it's the heart of the continent, but does it have to be SOOOO fancy?" You can always find parking, b/c these lots are half to totally empty basically always. #portageandmain

5/ Crossed at McDermot! Heading back S towards the BMO building. I know, you can barely see it, glad I'm able bodied, bit of a hike!
♿️🏃‍♀️🤔
#portageandmain

6/ There you are pretty BMO building! Ding dang, still can't get there, heading over to east to make the crossing. Need to walk in front of the Fairmont.
🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️
#portageandmain

7/ Spotted, more surface parking right off the intersection. Now, I should keep walking E to technically cross safely at Westbrook. BUT, as other twitterers have noted, if there's no cars, you CAN technically dart across the road.
👏

I know: "wow, so as long as I don't inconvenience a driver AT ALL, I can avoid the 4 block round trip walk?" Winnipeg, you sure know how to make a gal feel special!
Spotted, MORE surface parking! Think of the 💰 we're not making having actual businesses there! #portageandmain

I you decide to not be like the guy I saw with two full bags of groceries who dashed across the street by the Fairmont to catch his bus but a car was a block away so he got honked at, you can cross Portage E here.
#portageandmain

Woops, lost count? 10/ I did it!! Hooray! Deducting for time spent snapping 📸, total walk time was 12 minutes.
🤔⏱️🏃‍♀️
#portageandmain

11/ Going back to the start of this adventure, in 17 years of living in Winnipeg, spending MUCH time living, working and playing downtown, I have NEVER actually been on this block before. Note: the stairs to the underground here are ... gross.
#portageandmain

12/ Restart the clock! We're now going from this point and back to the NW corner! ⏱️
Notice distinct lack of street life. No shops, no restaurants, nothing but that sound of rushing traffic. 👂
#noisepollution #portageandmain

Here we are at the "pedestrian crossing" at Pioneer and Main! For those who haven't had this #blessed experience, note that you can only actually cross at one point. (see 🚷on the left). Be in the right spot at the right time or you will be stranded here fools! 🤡#portageandmain

14/ And remember, never cut in front of a car or you'll get the honk, but on the one bit of safe crossing between you and the moon, the 🏃‍♀️lane might be blocked by 🚙. These "real taxpayers" are the ones that matter!
#portageandmain

Not pictured, blocked by this van, is a fellow with a cane who hopped that curb b/c traffic was streaming by in front. Being a ped in Winnipeg is not for chumps. You gotta be ready to duck, jump and weave, kids! DON'T EXPECT THIS CITY TO TAKE CARE OF YOU!
🏋🏽‍♂️#portageandmain

I'm almost back, now heading up Main towards Portage, with the sweet sweet crumbling barricades reminding me that I gotta take the stairs!
#portageandmain

Back at the corner of Fort and Portage! Total time in this direction, 8 minutes.
Note: max increased ⏱️for SOME drivers during rush hour will be 8 min. Most will have NO delay, average delay is 30 sec or 50 sec for am or pm RUSH HOUR.
#portageandmain

Fair enough, I could take the underground. It's confusing & not always open, and those crossings take me about 4-6 minutes. When you're ♿️& need these stupid lifts everywhere, it takes 15 min to cross. I've done it with a wagon of stuff, it totally sucks!
#portageandmain

End/ So that was my adventure! I hope you had fun on this journey around P+M, and I hope you'll join me in bringing life back to this famed intersection at the heart of the continent. VOTE OPEN!
#portageandmain @VoteOpenWpg