Winnipeg residents and businesses express safety concerns after several collisions at the intersection of Ness Avenue and Ferry Road in recent weeks
Concerns Raised Over Safety at Winnipeg Intersection
Residents and business owners in Winnipeg’s St. James neighbourhood are calling for safety upgrades at a local intersection. This comes after several vehicle collisions occurred in just over two weeks.
Debris from vehicles is still scattered at the intersection of Ness Avenue and Ferry Road. Three accidents damaged traffic signals and signage between late December and earlier this week.
Witness Accounts of Collisions
Kevin Ramberran, co-owner of St. James Burger and Chip Co., saw the crashes on his restaurant’s security footage. He described the first crash on the morning of December 23 as “one of the worst crashes I’ve ever seen.”
Video footage shared on Reddit shows a vehicle in the westbound lane of Ness trying to turn left onto Ferry. When the light changed from green to yellow, an eastbound vehicle continued through the intersection. This resulted in a collision that sent the turning vehicle spinning into a traffic light post.
Ramberran expressed concern for safety after the series of accidents. He said, “Maybe we just need to tighten up how this intersection operates,” highlighting worries for his staff and local residents.
Emergency Response and Police Statements
The city confirmed that the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service responded to a 911 call just after 9:30 a.m. on December 23. One patient was taken to the hospital in stable condition, while another was also transported in stable condition. Winnipeg police reported that one of the hospitalized individuals was a youth.
Police stated that the incident “doesn’t appear to be criminal in nature.”
Subsequent Collisions and Community Reactions
Two weeks later, another crash occurred at the same intersection. A WFPS supervisor driving by noticed the collision and called for additional crews. Paramedics assessed one patient at the scene, but hospitalization was not needed.
This collision was also recorded on video and posted to Reddit. The footage showed a vehicle driving eastbound on Ness going through a yellow light as it turned red, colliding with a left-turning vehicle.
A few days later, another video appeared showing an eastbound vehicle on Ness driving onto the center median and knocking over a traffic signal. CBC News could not verify this footage, as the city did not receive a 911 call matching that description.
Local Residents’ Perspectives
Katrina Robertson, a nearby resident, witnessed the December 23 collision while shoveling snow. She believes drivers should slow down, especially in slippery winter conditions. She noted that the turn signals at Ness and Ferry are “not very good” and suggested changes to the traffic light system.
Robertson emphasized the need for caution, saying, “People need to slow down, especially when it’s wintertime. It’s not worth being on time if you’re not being safe.”
Jim Phillips, who regularly drives through the intersection, stated it is “prone to accidents” and called for the city to address the issue.
City’s Response to Safety Concerns
The city mentioned that it continually reviews intersections for safety risks under its road safety strategic action plan. They look for high-priority locations where accidents frequently occur.
However, the city stated that Ness and Ferry is “not one of the highest-rated locations for collisions” and is “not currently studying a redesign” for the intersection.
| Date | Incident | Response |
|---|---|---|
| Dec. 23 | First collision | Two patients transported to hospital |
| Two weeks later | Second collision | One patient assessed, no hospitalization |
| Recent | Vehicle on median | No 911 call received |
