October 29, 2020
This construction season, the City managed approximately 280 construction projects in all corners of the city from the Groat Road Bridge, the Yellowhead Trail Freeway and various LRT projects, to projects like Neighbourhood Renewal, park restoration and everything in between.
These projects created direct and indirect jobs for more than 10,000 people from the Edmonton region. Additionally, the City worked with over 300 Edmonton-based companies in delivering these city building projects.
As of today 93 per cent of the City’s capital projects are on budget and 81 per cent are on schedule.
“The COVID-19 pandemic added additional pressures to an already busy construction season, but the City’s response in working with our many partners in industry was to keep moving forward, safely, by continuing to invest in Edmonton’s future,” said Jason Meliefste, Acting Deputy City Manager, Integrated Infrastructure Services. “As we build for our city’s future, we provide thousands of jobs at a time when our economy is facing some of its toughest conditions.”
The completion of the Groat Road Bridge rehabilitation—on time and on budget—two and a half years after construction started, will be enthusiastically welcomed by Edmontonains. The bridge will reopen to four lanes of traffic and a wider (4.2m) shared use path on Sunday, ready for Monday morning commuters.
“For the past 50 years, Groat Bridge has been quietly serving this community. With the work we have done, this major arterial roadway and bridge can continue to ensure that travellers can cross the river efficiently and safely for another 50 years,” said Sam El Mohtar, Director of Transportation Infrastructure Delivery.
Motor vehicle traffic on the bridge was reduced to one lane in either direction for over two years and the pedestrian walkway has been operating with limited capacity. However, with the exception of overnight and off-peak closure, movement across the river was maintained throughout all stages of the bridge’s demolition and reconstruction.
Workers will remain on site through November, possibly into December, to wrap up the project. Various off-peak closures and traffic disruptions will be required as needed.
As temperatures drop, we are wrapping up what Edmontonians may refer to as construction season, however, the work of city building is never-ending.
“Continuing to plan for the city we want tomorrow will better position Edmonton for future generations,” said Meliefste.
Note: ETS routes 128 and 130 that were impacted by the bridge work will resume regular routing to University Transit Centre on November 29 to align with broader winter service changes. This includes service to Hawrelak Park, 87 Avenue west of the University of Alberta, as well as the University Transit Centre. At this time, these routes will no longer stop at the Government Centre Transit Centre.
