Construction on Edmonton’s Low Level Bridge replacement could begin in 2029
Posted August 27, 2026 10:04 am.
Last Updated August 27, 2026 10:02 am.
Big changes are on the way for Edmonton’s Low Level Bridge.
The bridge’s future – both the northbound and southbound side – is up for discussion at city council.
A replacement bridge will be built between the existing Low Level and James MacDonald bridges, pending environmental and Indigenous reviews. That’s according to a report into early-stage planning for the project.
Initial traffic analysis suggests the new bridge may need more than four lanes to meet future traffic demand, but administration says means of travel are also expected to change, leaving a four-lane bridge up for consideration to prevent over-building.
The design is also expected to feature a sidewalk on one side with a shared pathway for other modes of transportation on the other.
But one city councillor questions whether the project needs to be built in this upcoming four-year budget cycle, with the High Level bridge also due to be replaced.
“I understand that we want to build for the future, but right now it’s a tough budget and I want to make sure that we’re not building before we need to,” said Ward papastew Coun. Michael Janz.
“There’s no way in our city budget we can do this alone. We need support from the federal government and the provincial government. We’re talking over a billion dollars in bridges. We need the Government of Canada, we need the Government of Alberta to come to the table. This shouldn’t be just the responsibility of the Edmonton taxpayer.”
The report also says the Low Level Bridge would stay open as the new bridge is being built to reduce traffic disruptions.
Once the new bridge is up and running, the southbound bridge, which just finished upgrades last year, will be decommissioned and torn down. The 126-year-old northbound bridge, designated a historic resource, could be preserved and adapted for alternate modes of transportation, like bikes and scooters.
Council will look at budgeting for this new build during this winter’s four-year budget talks, with design options to come in 2027.
Construction is expected to last three years, starting in 2029.
