Lane to be removed along 102 Ave for pedestrian-friendly area
Posted June 14, 2022 1:51 pm.
After a tight vote of 7-6, Edmonton City Council is going to close the traffic lane on a section of 102 Avenue in downtown Edmonton, in an effort to make the road a pedestrian-friendly area.
“It opens the door for exploring how we can reimagine some of our downtown streets, it opens the door for more vibrancy, walkability and I’m excited for the potential,” says Edmonton City Councilor, Ashley Salvador.
102nd Avenue between 99 Street and 103 Street was scheduled to reopen at the end of the month. Instead, council plans to test out the pilot project ‘as soon as possible.’
“I think this is a really good moment to try this out. If we were to open this up to car traffic, I would be concerned it would be difficult to go in the other direction once people get used to those travel patterns and start using the street again so I think this is a great time to try this out,” says Salvador.
Not all councilors are on board with the project.
City Councilor Tim Cartmell says “This is not about whether or not this is a good idea, this is about the process to properly assess the idea and that is where I have some reservations.”
Meanwhile, Councilor Erin Rutherford raised concerns from business owners in the area who wanted the route re-opened to vehicles.
“I also agree that I would love to see this in the future but I do think it is coming at a time where we haven’t signaled enough notice to downtown stakeholders of this change,” said Rutherford.
The one-year pilot project will still provide access to emergency services.
