Construction season begins in Edmonton with more than 200 projects this summer

It may just be the most dreaded time in Edmonton: construction season.

The pylons were out Tuesday and lanes were reduced as construction season officially kicked off in the city.

Drivers can begin expecting longer commutes to and from work, as the city has more than 200 projects on the go this summer.

“It is important for our city to invest in infrastructure and neighbourhood improvements in aging neighbourhoods and business districts to ensure all Edmonton neighbourhoods are vibrant,” said Jamie Hayward with Crossroads Business Improvement Area.

‘Growing pains’

While Hayward did acknowledge big construction projects come with “growing pains,” she says it’s an important investment for businesses and residents.

“Businesses understand the temporary inconveniences will be well worth the increased opportunity that will accompany more patrons in our district,” she said. “Changes like this are beneficial to everyone. They increase property value, they support more people out to the district to shop locally.”

In Edmonton, more than 100 kilometres of roads and sidewalks will be renewed, as well as 23 kilometres of alleyways. That’s in addition to the major projects already underway like the Yellowhead Trail Freeway conversion, the Terwillegar Drive expansion and the widening of 50th Street.

“The work we are doing will directly employ more than 4,600 workers and spark investments from the private sector, bringing huge economic impact to our city,” said Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi.

“It is so important for livability to have functional neighbourhoods. It is so important that as we grow up instead of growing out that we maintain what we have, and provide quality infrastructure that is so necessary for quality of life that Edmontonians want to enjoy in existing neighbourhoods.”

Road work on Edmonton’s 108 Street in October 2022. (CityNews)

No opening date for Valley Line LRT

The City of Edmonton says LRT expansion continues to be an area of emphasis in the transit network’s development.

“LRT expansion and renewal projects are advancing,” said deputy city manager Adam Laughlin. “Our long-term LRT network plan with the goal of connecting all four corners of our city through the key transportation corridors.”

Laughlin says the Metro Line Northwest expansion from NAIT to Blatchford is “trending well,” with an anticipated opening some time next year. He says the first phase of the Capital Line work from Century Park to Ellerslie Road is underway.

“Edmontonians will see significant infrastructure development for the Valley Line West, including the elevated guideway along 87th Avenue and work on the two new LRT bridges,” said Laughlin.

MORE ON VALLEY LINE LRT:

• More LRT frustrations for Edmontonians
• Man sleeping near tracks struck by Valley Line LRT, in critical condition: police
• Taxi collides with Valley Line LRT after illegal right turn on red: TransEd

The deputy city manager says TransEd is “making progress” on testing for the Valley Line Southeast LRT, which is already a couple of years behind schedule

Among the issues were a series of cracked pillars, and more recently drivers have been colliding with trains after illegally turning right on a red light.

“They are doing demonstration testing,” said Laughlin. “I think they have just done over 50 days of testing, which is normal for a system like this, where it’s 13 kilometres of complicated LRT operations, and signal operations. Making progress, unfortunately we are not at that point to signal a time for opening day.”

As for when highway road construction projects will begin in all corners of the province, that has yet to be announced, but Alberta will spend nearly $2.3 billion over the next three years on various road and bridge projects.