Morley
In a nutshell:
The Morley Station is, more than any other station on the first phase, a blank slate. It is completely surrounded with unused land. With appropriate planning and public involvement, the station could stand out as a shining model for a new approach to transportation in Winnipeg. But the reverse is just as easily possible. If the surrounding development is poorly suited, or accessibility issues not adequately considered, the station could come to be seen as a white elephant and an ill-considered venture. The surrounding tracts of land are currently owned B&M Land, and the developer is purported to be interested in a transit-oriented development. Citizen involvement during the planning process will be important.
Possible issues:
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Land-use issues
For the area to be pedestrian friendly, surface parking lots should be kept to a minimum, and on-street parking should be encouraged. A mixture of some commercial and residential developments would also be an important step to insuring the surrounding neighbourhood's vitality, but the exact balance between the two should be left to a public process that consults all stakeholders.
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Connecting Neighbourhoods
The rail-line running to the west of the Morley Station is a major challenge that must be overcome. Some way of connecting Pembina Highway with the transit station must be found. This linking structure should consider all modes of transportation, including pedestrians and cyclists. Another concern that the WRTC has lies with the proposed tunnel underneath Winnipeg Transit's Osborne Garage, just north of Morley Station. At this point it is unclear whether proper provisions have been made for a bike thoroughfare within the tunnel. The WRTC urges the city to invest sufficiently as to insure that the Southwest Corridor include an uninterupted bikeway alongside the busway.
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Accessibility issues
It is essential that each station be built to the highest standards of accessibility for those who have disabilities. View the article 'Bus Rapid Transit Accessibility Guidelines', developed by Tom Rickert for the World Bank
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How you can help:
Please feel free to contact us, the city councilor's office, or the Mayor's office to voice your concerns and learn about the development process of the Morley Station
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