May 15, 2018
The City of Edmonton is pleased to announce that it has received a commitment from the Government of Canada for the remaining funding required to improve traffic flow along 50 Street. The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport and Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities joined Councillor Ben Henderson and other members of Edmonton City Council to make the formal announcement in City Hall today.
“The funding commitments from both the Government of Canada and the Province signal that they are hearing the needs of Edmontonians,” said Mayor Don Iveson. “We can now move forward with this welcomed project that will help commuters and our local economy as we move goods and services more efficiently throughout our City.”
This portion of funding complements previous funding commitments from the City of Edmonton and the Government of Alberta, and will ensure faster and safer travel along a busy and growing corridor. Planned improvements include widening 50 Street to six lanes between 76 and 90 Avenue and addressing traffic delays related to the current at-grade Canadian Pacific (CP) Railway crossing north of Sherwood Park Freeway. The City of Edmonton requested funding for this project in part because this railway crossing is the top grade separation priority in the City and in response to concerns voiced by Council, businesses and the public.
“The CP rail tracks on 50th Street have been a long source of frustration for commuters in the Edmonton Metropolitan Region,” said Honourable Brian Mason, Minister of Transportation. “We know traffic delays are frustrating and expensive. That’s why we are making this investment to get traffic moving safely and efficiently.”
