Ribbon cut on new trails connecting Sturgeon County, Edmonton river valley

25 years after the start of the Trans Canada Trail, the pathway just keeps growing.

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“In Alberta, the trail is connected but not yet complete,” Strong-Watson said. “The percentage varies a little bit, but we’re at about 63 per cent in terms of actual construction, finishing development of the trail.”

Strong-Watson said one more connection has now officially opened, with federal Infrastructure Minister Amarjeet Sohi cutting the ribbon at a ceremony on Saturday.

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The 19 kilometres of waterfront trails link Edmonton’s river valley to Sturgeon County.

In a release, Brent Collingwood, board chair of the River Valley Alliance, said the new link is part of a larger plan to connect the river valley to other trail systems.

“Looking ahead, the next phase of capital projects aim to connect the Capital Region River Valley Park from end to end by land and water.”

Also on hand for Saturday’s ribbon cutting were Sturgeon County mayor Tom Flynn and Athabasca-Sturgeon-Redwater MLA Colin Piquette.

According to Infrastructure Canada, the total cost of the Lamoureux Trail system is $1.4 million, with contributions from Sturgeon County, the Alberta government and Ottawa. The Fort Augustus Trail’s total cost came to just over $401,000.

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At the Strathcona County celebration on Saturday, open space strategic planner Leslee Laing said the county’s portion is about 50 per cent complete.

“Piecing it all together, we hope to have the 22 kilometres complete by the summer of next year,” Laing said.

Laing said the Strathcona County project includes a pedestrian footbridge across the North Saskatchewan River to Edmonton, which is part of the River Valley Alliance’s goal to connect Fort Saskatchewan to Devon.

“It is a major first priority to link this section for the River Valley Alliance,” said Laing.

Laing said the cost of the Strathcona County link is about $8 million, with funding from all three levels of government plus private donations.

“It has been easier to collaborate thoughts and vision. The hardest part is land acquisitions and fundraising,” said Laing.