St. Boniface walkway along the Red River now open to the public

For Winnipeggerslooking for a winter walk along the Red River, a new St. Boniface walkway featuringpublic art and a lookout is now open.

The Tach Promenade, along Tach Avenue on the east side of the Red River between Provencher Boulevard and Despins Street, includes awidened "promenade-style" walkway, a pedestrianbelvdre or lookout and anew public art installation called Phare Ouest(Far West)by Winnipeg artist Marcel Gosselin.

The total cost of the promenade is still being tallied, but city council approved a budget of $10 million for the project in 2017.

It was originally budgeted for half that amount,but city councilapproved a plan in September 2017 to nearly double the funding for the walkway, partly due to the need for more riverbank-stabilization work.

Though there is still some work that needs to be completed in the spring, both the lookout structure and sidewalks are open for use, a city spokesperson confirmed Friday.

A grand opening for the project is expected this spring, the city's website says.

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