EDMONTON – On Wednesday, all lanes of Edmonton’s main downtown thoroughfare reopened to traffic following a major streetscape construction project.
The completion of the Jasper Ave streetscape project marks the end of a major construction season for Edmonton. The City says in 2013, $265.8 million was invested in road infrastructure.
In 2013, those projects included $87.2 million spent on 25 major arterial road projects, $166.6 million spent on five bridge and interchange projects, and $12 million spent on 32 arterial milling and overlay projects.
“It’s been a big year for road construction in Edmonton and we are happy that one of our biggest projects, Jasper Avenue, is open to traffic on schedule,” said Barry Belcourt, Branch Manager for Roads Design and Construction. “We thank local businesses for their patience over the past two years as we have been repairing the Central LRT Station and working to improve the quality and usability of Jasper Avenue for drivers and pedestrians.”
The streetscape work included replacing the central median with a five-lane roadway, adding turning lanes, creating wider, pedestrian-friendly sidewalks, and adding new benches and streetlights.
During the project, traffic in both directions was reduced to one lane on Jasper Ave between 100 Street and 102 Street. Workers tried to minimize the impact on area businesses by alternating work between the north and south sides of the Ave.
However, business owners have said the construction project was very difficult for them.
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“They’ve taken away all the parking, and the handicap parking,” Brad Basaraba, a chiropractor, whose clinic is located at 100th Street and Jasper Avenue, said in May. “Small businesses don’t have deep pockets and we don’t have room for mistakes.”
“Some sort of compensation would be really nice,” added Kevin Dubetz, the events and catering coordinator at Underground Tap and Grill located at 100th Street and Jasper Avenue, which opened in October 2012. Dubetz said delays in construction negatively impacted business and caused confusion for customers.
In April, the City admitted there were delays, but said the project was on schedule to be complete by the end of October.
“The Jasper Avenue closure has been a major inconvenience for those entering or traveling through downtown,” said Belcourt. “At the end of the day, everyone benefits from improved road infrastructure.”
The City says some infrastructure and decorative elements, including streetlights, will be added in 2014. Work underground on the Central LRT station will continue into December.
The major road projects that have been completed in 2013 include:
• Jasper Avenue streetscape/Central LRT Station rehabilitation
• Capital Boulevard/108 Street streetscape
• Rossdale Road Bridge over MacDougall Hill Road
• 30 Avenue SW Bridge replacement
• Stony Plain Road over Groat Road Bridge
• 17 Street/23 Avenue roadway upgrades
• Whitemud Drive/17 Street interchange
• 23 Avenue/Gateway Boulevard interchange final paving
The City has posted a detailed map of construction projects by neighbourhood on its website, as well as a list of Edmonton construction projects.
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