Are the Goldeyes Closing Waterfront Drive Today?

No, Waterfront Drive is open today.

There are no more scheduled fireworks for the 2024 season.

Why does this matter?

Your evening commute will be ruined. The Goldeyes close down Waterfront Drive to foot, bicycle, and vehicle traffic starting from the beginning of evening rush hour all the way till after the fireworks. There are 5 hours of closure typically.

Imagine driving home and a bridge were suddenly closed during rush hour. No signage, no warning. The nearest safe routes add 20 minutes to your journey and take you through different neighbourhoods, if you can find them.

There are no signed detours. You're just left to figure it out.

There is no advanced signage. Parades, marathons, street fairs? You get days’ worth of posted signs, advising you of the upcoming disruption.

The safe, unsigned detour takes you through the most dangerous intersection in Winnipeg. Yes, it’s Assiniboine Ave and Main St, where 30% of left-turning drivers run the red light through the crosswalk.

The involvement rate in high risk left-turn conflicts was six times higher than the benchmark rate for permissive left turn movements on urban arterials in North America.

I’m more of a visual learner

Me too. I’ve got you.

**The Goldeyes run barriers from the ballpark all the way down to the river.**

Here’s a puzzle for you. You want to take that green north-south route, but you can’t go past the red fireworks zone. Can you find a safe detour using only blue or green routes?

The closest, safe north-south path is Garry Street. You have backtrack through the Forks (again). Cross over Main Street at Assiniboine Avenue, keeping your eyes peeled for dangerous, law-breaking drivers. Head north along Garry Street. Navigate the wiggledy route through the Exchange District, crossing over Main Street again, before continuing on your way.

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