Winnipeg's 'Big Dig' Honored

The Red River Floodway, built in the 1960s to protect the City of Winnipeg from flooding, has been named by the International Association of Macro Engineering Societies as one of the engineering wonders of the world.

1 minute read

July 7, 2008, 10:00 AM PDT

By Michael Dudley


"Winnipeggers like to refer to it as a ditch but, to the international engineering community, the Winnipeg floodway is one of the engineering wonders of the world.

On Friday, the International Association of Macro Engineering Societies (IAMES) officially recognized the floodway as one of the 16 engineering achievements that shaped the world since biblical times to the present. The prestigious Boston-based organization has been monitoring the floodway and the expansion project for many years.

The floodway ranks in engineering significance with projects like the Three Gorges Dam in China, the Eiffel Tower, the Channel Tunnel and accomplishments like landing the first man on the moon.

The original floodway was built between 1963 and 1968 for about $63 million. Construction involved moving more than 60 million cubic feet of earth, more than was moved for construction of the Suez Canal. Since then it the floodway been used to divert flood waters from the Red River more than 20 times and it is estimated that it has prevented more than $10 billion in potential flood damage.

The current $665-million floodway expansion will move an additional 25 million cubic feet and provide a one-in-700-year level of flood protection."

Saturday, July 5, 2008 in The Winnipeg Free Press

courses user

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges. Corey D, Transportation Planner

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges.

Corey D, Transportation Planner

Ready to give your planning career a boost?

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

Seattle Legalizes Co-Living

A new state law requires all Washington cities to allow co-living facilities in areas zoned for multifamily housing.

December 1, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

SunRail passenger train at platform in Poinciana, Florida.

Central Florida’s SunRail Plans Major Expansion

The expanded train line will connect more destinations to the international airport and other important destinations.

November 24, 2024 - Hoodline

Rendering of proposed housing development on former Desert Pines golf course in East Las Vegas, Nevada.

Las Vegas Golf Course to Become Over 1,000 Units of Affordable Housing

The project is part of an initiative to build affordable housing on shuttered golf courses.

November 20, 2024 - KTNV

Close-up of laptop with real estate listings shown on map.

Cities and States Taking Action to Limit Rent-Setting AI

Federal prosecutors are charging a software company with using algorithms to artificially inflate rents.

December 2 - CALmatters

San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit train at elevated station with hills and palm tree in background.

BART to Raise Fares in January

The transit agency says it needs more state and federal support to meet its operating costs and avoid a growing budget gap.

December 2 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Long row of Bixi bike share bikes parked at station on street in Montreal, Canada.

Montreal Bike Share Breaks Ridership Record With 13 Million Rides

The Bixi system introduced a winter pilot project last year, leading to a rise in winter cycling.

December 2 - The Montreal Gazette

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.