challenges

Edmonton’s construction season is in full swing

Monday, August 24, 2020

Construction season is in full swing in the City of Edmonton despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently 94 per cent of the city’s construction projects are on budget and 84 per cent are on schedule.

“Despite the challenges that a busy construction season can bring, especially with the added pressures of the pandemic, we’ve continued working safely for Edmonton’s future, maintaining and improving our city,” said City of Edmonton acting deputy city manager Jason Meliefste.

“Robust and healthy infrastructure is critical to a safe and healthy Edmonton. A city of one million people depends on the work we are doing across transportation, neighbourhoods, parks, facilities and LRT, and that is why it was so important to keep this work moving forward.”

Capital projects underway include:

  • Yellowhead Trail, which is being widened to three lanes in each direction from 61 Street to the North Saskatchewan River. Crews are also boring drainage pipes with an auger machine directly below Yellowhead Trail. Eastbound widening is anticipated to be complete in 2021 with the majority of the westbound work finishing later this year. The conversion of the Yellowhead Trail into a freeway is slated for 2027.
  • Work continues on Groat Road Bridge. Traffic on the bridge remains one lane in both directions. Off-peak night time closures will continue and full daytime closures are planned for the end of September. This project is on track to be completed by the end of fall 2020.
  • The Valley Line West LRT route is being prepped for full construction of the project to begin next year. Crews are busy completing utility relocations and building removals to accommodate the new infrastructure.
  • Valley Line Southeast construction continues with shelter structures going in for the stops and the final sets of cable stays being installed on the Tawatinâ Bridge and Train #13 arriving in the city.
  • The Metro Line Northwest Extension Phase 1 from NAIT to Blatchford began construction in June. The 40-plus year-old LRT network requires maintenance and upgrades to ensure it continues efficiently and reliably over the long-term.
  • Work has begun on the Stadium Station Redevelopment project, it is expected to be complete by January 2022.
  • The City’s Neighbourhood Renewal Program has been in full swing this summer with 16 projects currently underway. Over 100 kilometres of roadway and sidewalk will be completed this year, and over 10 kilometres of alleys will be reconstructed.

“We understand that the impacts of construction have been felt differently this year, with many more Edmontonians spending their days at home and off the roads. As much as possible, the city has been working to minimize the impacts to citizens and keep them informed. Construction season can be a massive and disruptive undertaking, and we really appreciate people’s understanding and support, now more than ever, as work is underway to improve our city for the future,” said Meliefste.

The city is also improving roads with crews completing more than 309,905 pothole and asphalt repairs since the beginning of 2020—an increase of 61,830 potholes from 2019.

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