EDMONTON – Edmonton’s neighbourhood renewal program is replacing roads and sidewalks in many of the city’s established communities. Back alleys, however, remain untouched. And that has prompted one Edmonton councillor to launch a pothole inquiry.
Councillor Andrew Knack has asked for more information on how back alleys are treated, and if they could fit into the scope of the neighbourhood renewal program.
While many back lanes are paved, the costs are paid for by those who live there. But as Knack points out, those paved alleys will deteriorate over time.
“Sooner or later, if we don’t have a plan for it, it’s going to devolve into gravel,” Knack says.
“I don’t think a lot of people actually know that the standard for back alleys in the City of Edmonton is gravel.”
Currently, residents have to pay 50 per cent of the cost of new sidewalks in front of their property — which can be paid in one lump sum or broken up over 20 years on their property taxes.
“Back alleys,” he says, “have nothing — they’re not even given the option to do 50/50.”
Instead, a resident who calls to report back alley potholes is told crews will get to it when they’re in the neighbourhood. Waiting for that to happen can sometimes take a while.
As part of his inquiry, Knack is asking for a more firm timeline on back alley pothole repair.
Details on the back alley issue are expected to come back in the new year.
With files from Vinesh Pratap, Global News
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