City of Edmonton takes steps to ease Groat Road closure headache

WATCH ABOVE: Edmonton commuters may soon get a bit of relief from traffic chaos caused by the closure of Groat Road. Fletcher Kent explains.

EDMONTON — In an effort to relieve congestion as thousands of drivers navigate around the shut down section of Groat Road, the City of Edmonton has modified traffic signals and restricted on-side parking in Edmonton’s core.

Groat is expected to remain closed between 107 Avenue and River Valley Road for around three weeks because of repairs to several twisted girders on the new 102 Avenue bridge. The girders buckled while being installed on Monday morning.

The city said around 40,000 vehicles used the section of Groat Road each day — almost double the average before the 102 Avenue bridge was closed in February 2014 so it could be replaced.

READ MORE: 6 things you need to know about the Groat Road closure

All of those drivers are now being forced to detour, adding even more traffic to what were already busy roads. To help keep traffic moving, signal timings have been modified along these routes:

• 116 Street at 100 Avenue and  to have longer green lights for peak hours
• Groat Road/107 Avenue and Groat Road/111 Avenue intersections to improve east/west traffic due to decreased north/south traffic
• 107 Avenue at 117 Street and 116 Street have longer green lights for afternoon peak

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The city said it has also added more signs on adjacent roads and detours to inform drivers about the closure. More changes will be made if necessary in order to optimize east-west traffic flow.

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The city is also enforcing parking restrictions along both sides of the following roads:

• 109 Street from 88 Avenue to 82 Avenue, and the High Level Bridge to 104 Avenue
• 116 Street from 100 Avenue to Jasper Avenue
• 124 Street from 102 Avenue to 107 Avenue
• 105 Street from 102 Avenue to 104 Avenue

On Wednesday contractors continued to assemble a 1,200-tonne crane on Groat Road, that will support the entire 102 Avenue bridge structure.

Once the crane is in place, construction crews will be able to inspect the damaged girders, and repair or remove them. The entire process is expected to take three weeks, if the weather cooperates.