EDMONTON – In what has already been a busy road construction season, motorists should prepare to see more crews on the streets as the City of Edmonton increases funding and adds more projects to the 2014 schedule.
In April, city council voted to reallocate $27.1 million from the 2014 budget for additional roadwork this year and next. Tuesday morning, the city announced $16.3 million of that would be used this season, on 51 extra road projects.
“This additional investment demonstrates the aggressive approach council is taking to renewing Edmonton’s essential roadway infrastructure,” said Mayor Don Iveson.
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The additional money will be used to pave 25 more arterial road projects and an additional 26 neighbourhood projects that were not in the original 2014 schedule.
So far this season, city crews have completed six projects — including the Walterdale Hill realignment — which opened one month ahead of schedule.
The city says warm, rain-free weather so far this summer has helped crews get the work done in a timely fashion.
“We’re very pleased with the weather we’ve had so far; fingers are crossed that it continues throughout the summer and into the fall,” said Byron Nicholson, director of special projects with the City of Edmonton.
A total of 245,770 potholes have been filled in the first half of 2014.
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“It’s a big year for road construction in Edmonton and so far things have gone smoothly,” said Iveson.
“We know construction impacts like noise and detours can be challenging for everyone – motorists, pedestrians and cyclists alike – but when the work is done everyone benefits from improved road infrastructure.”
The additional 51 projects announced Tuesday brings the total number of Edmonton road projects to 178, coming in at a cost of $431.1 million.
The remaining $10.8 million will be used for projects in 2015.
For more information on this year’s construction season, visit the City of Edmonton’s website.
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