‘A serious and real problem’: Why a city councillor wants Edmonton to stop approving major construction projects

An Edmonton city councillor, fed up with construction delays and over-budget projects, wants the city to stop approving new plans until crews are caught up and major changes are made to streamline the process.

Tim Cartmell pitched the idea Thursday morning, in a campaign-style media announcement that he did not deny was a precursor to his running for mayor.

“We are dealing with a serious and real problem that if not addressed will cost our city hundreds of millions, and even billions of dollars, over the next decades,” Cartmell said.

He cited delays on the Fort Road underpass, the city’s new LRT to Mill Woods, and the western leg of that Valley Line LRT as projects that have kept customers away and caused some businesses to close.

The owner of El Corazón restaurant on Stony Plain Road took part in Cartmell’s announcement.

He agrees LRT construction is hurting his bottom line, by reducing street visibility, and generally keeping customers away.

“We were told it was going to be 18 months from construction start. Now we’re told it’s going to be another 2 years, now we don’t know when it’s going to be done,” Percy Wiredu told CityNews.

To make projects run smoother, Cartmell is proposing the creation of a permanent infrastructure standing committee made up of a group of construction experts, who would report directly to city councillors. 

Councillor Andrew Knack loves that idea but not how Cartmell is framing the issue.

“I don’t think I would agree with the suggestion that everything is going wrong, because the data doesn’t actually back that up,” Knack said.

“Most projects in our city are finishing on or ahead of schedule. The vast majority finish on or under budget, 95 per cent are on or under budget.”

Instead of a pause on building infrastructure that a growing city might need, Knack wants Edmonton to compensate businesses who are hurt by construction delays.

He also wants big projects like the west LRT broken up into more manageable chunks that are completed quicker to reduce impacts on business owners, residents, and drivers.

Cartmell’s announcement could signal the two-term councillor wants to be Edmonton’s next mayor and he left that door open when asked about rumours he wants the top seat on city council.

“I have not decided exactly what I want to do in terms of the next election. I think I still have a lot more offer to this city, though, in terms of an elected official,’ Cartmell told CityNews.

There is still no completion date for the west LRT line. The next civic election is in October 2025.