Edmonton group proposes pedestrian pathway on 76 Avenue near Mill Creek Ravine

An Edmonton pedestrian advocacy group is reimagining a stretch of road where 76 Avenue crosses the Mill Creek Ravine.

The group Paths for People wants to turn the portion of 76 Avenue between the Ritchie and King Edward Park neighbourhoods – southeast of Edmonton’s River Valley – into a green space and pedestrian pathway fully closed to vehicle traffic.

Advocates say the idea is about safety and beautification around the ravine, as the City of Edmonton is in the design phase of replacing the Mill Creek Trestle Bridge nearby.

“You definitely notice the people there are being extra vigilant — either proactively or because they’ve had a close call in the past — and yeah, this would entirely re-green the space, and make it feel first and foremost safe,” said Brandon Kwong, a board member with Paths for People.

The proposal would cut off traffic through part of the Ritchie neighbourhood.

Speaking to CityNews near the Mill Creek Ravine Thursday afternoon, residents say driving down 76 Avenue is hard enough as it is with renewal work in progress. That would be even more difficult, they say, if a stretch of the avenue was turned into a full pedestrian pathway.

“The way the city’s laid out as it is, especially on this side for me, there’s enough trajectories that I have to navigate,” one Edmontonian said. “So with this being blocked off, I’m having to spend a lot more time navigating, a lot more time with gas.”

“Everything seems to be set up OK,” another person said. “With the pedestrians, it’s a little inconvenient if you’re going west by vehicle, but otherwise it’s fine.”

The Mill Creek Trestle Bridge was originally built in 1902 and has reached the end of its life. Construction to replace the walking path is expected by the end of this year.

Nearby 76 Avenue is currently under construction – part of Mill Creek Ravine erosion repairs.

Paths for People says since putting the idea forward, it has received a swell of support.

“Third of people living in the city can’t drive for one reason or another,” Kwong said. “So making it more friendly, accessible, safe, fun, to take to different modes of transport or transit, by investing in a relatively very small – from a dollar value or space value – piece of infrastructure.”

CityNews reached out to the City of Edmonton but did not immediately hear back.