Eveline Street is one of Selkirk’s most historic streets. At the turn of the century the street was part rail line connecting Selkirk’s wharf and business district with Winnipeg. It was a vibrant street at the heart of our community. This reconstruction project aimed to bring back the life to Eveline Street while building for our future and is doing just that.
Reconstruction Project Highlights
- Active transportation pathways & bike racks
- Marked crosswalks and detectible tiles
- Improved lighting and benches
- Dozens of new street trees
- Accessibility to businesses and sidewalks
Accessibility and Design
There will be numerous features that make the street safer for pedestrians, including pedestrian peninsulas at intersections giving motorists a heads up that a crosswalk is ahead and reduces the distance walkers have to travel to get from one side of the street to the other. This is especially beneficial for folks with mobility issues or aides and those pushing strollers or walking with young ones. Sidewalks will be built up to most businesses eliminating large steps.
A forward-thinking downtown
An out-of-town visitor, a young person choosing a place to live, an entrepreneur opening a new business, each one of these people is looking for a place to fall in love with. A redefined Eveline Street can be a beautiful public place that inspires us, connects us, invites us to linger, to shop, to visit, and to live. As a great urban street, it can offer a joyful experience that invites people to fall in love with Selkirk and its historic downtown. Investing in great places for people is an investment in the social, cultural, and economic fabric of the community, and it defines the kind of city that will be passed on to the next generations.
Active transportation pathways
Developing a safe and effective AT network that moves citizens around the city creating a connected community within the boundaries of Selkirk.
This new pathway will help support the reduction of community Green House Gas emissions by giving people the option to leave their car at home and opt for a more active and environmentally friendly choice such as walking, biking, roller skating and more.
Safer roadways
Traffic Circle, for a Safer Intersection
By adding a traffic circle at the intersection of Eveline and Queen, it will reduce speeds at the intersection. Traffic delays will be reduced due to an ongoing flow of traffic, and the circle can reduce the number and severity of traffic accidents.
Pedestrian crossings become safer when only having to check one lane of traffic at a time and having shorter distances to cross. The meridians at the crossings make this possible.
On top of being safer and keeping traffic flowing the new traffic circle will serve as a feature piece with plants growing in its centre.
Modern safety standards
The Transportation Association of Canada (TAC) is the national standard of roadway design. When designing roads, modern engineering standards and best practice HAVE to be followed. What some call curb extensions/bump outs/pedestrian peninsulas are a modern standard that are being implemented across Canada in new road construction.
They are used strictly for safety and comfort of pedestrians and engineers have determined that they work both in people safe as well as with vehicles of all sizes. As with any change, they take time to get used to and will become the new normal.
How they work:
- The distance to cross the road is shorter – especially important for people with mobility aids, strollers, small children or just walking slower.
- Pedestrians are more visible to oncoming traffic.
- They naturally calm driving speeds.
Any questions or comments regarding modern design practices, accessibility, and why it’s important for us to keep our community safe can be directed to www.myselkirk.ca/citizensupport
More info on TAC: https://www.tac-atc.ca/
A green urban canopy
The city will spend $800,000 out of a Canada/Manitoba Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) grant for street trees. The street trees planted along Eveline will benefit from innovative soil systems the city is putting in place to facilitate healthy tree growth.
Selkirk’s Street Tree Policy is extraordinary and provides inspiration for everyone. Its emphasis is not only on tree species diversity to combat climate change but also includes the creation of more naturalized settings in place of traditional turfgrass. Selkirk is the only city in Manitoba and one of just 130 cities around the world awarded platinum-level ISO certification from the World Council on City Data, a global leader on standardized data that helps create sustainable, resilient and prosperous communities.
Reconstruction began in 2022 and is being completed in 2023. The work has improved safety for motorists and pedestrians, made the street more accessible and connected it to active transportation pathways and sidewalks that allow for walkers and riders to go from Selkirk Park all the way to Selkirk’s Manitoba Avenue West. The project is a direct result of Selkirk’s Downtown Renewal Strategy that aims to transform the downtown area into a place where people want to be.
Images of the Completed Project
We have been waiting to see changes to Manitoba Avenue East, Eveline and the Waterfront for 25 years and are so glad it’s happening now. The area is perfect for walking and the change is long overdue. This area is meant to be pedestrian friendly and accessible.” - Lorraine Benjamin, long time Eveline Street property owner and resident.
Historic Photos of Eveline Street
In the News
Eveline does it again – street reconstruction garners TAC Award
Eveline Street reconstruction now award-winning
Downtown Selkirk to get a makeover
Eveline reconstruction to make a more accessible and vibrant downtown
Two-phase project will safeguard city against delays, cost overruns
Looking for more on historic Eveline? Check out the Selkirk Museum
National Recognition
Leading organizations, such as the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), are recognizing Selkirk’s remarkable efforts in downtown renewal. The award-winning Eveline Street Reconstruction Project and efforts towards a welcoming, safe and accessible downtown have gained national recognition, marking a significant milestone in our city’s development.
“Check out Selkirk Manitoba, a city of just over 10,000 that’s knocking it out of the park when it comes to accessibility and connecting residents with the core.” – FCM CEO Carole Saab on the award-winning Eveline Street Reconstruction Project (tied to Selkirk’s Downtown Revitalization Strategy) during the opening address at the FCM Municipalities 2023 Annual Conference and Trade Show in Toronto last month.
