As construction on the Valley Line LRT continues TransEd, the public/ private consortium building the line, the City of Edmonton announced Friday that 95 Avenue in the Strathearn community will be closed for the entire 2019 construction season.
The closure of 95 Avenue between Connors Road and 85 Street begins April 28. The road closure is meant to speed up the completion of the work in the area for the Valley Line, the city and TransEd and the city said in a joint media release Friday.
“Narrow streets and avenues like those in Strathearn are a particular challenge for us,” explains Jim Nolan, the project director for TransEd.
The closure will mean the completed roads and sidewalks will be ready for the public to use by the end of 2019, a full year faster than the existing timeline, TransEd said.
The decision to fully close the road to traffic, rather than implement a series of partial closures, was made after public consultation with local businesses and residents but concerns remain.
In early February, a public consultation meeting held on the issue got heated, with people voicing concerns over financial impacts on local business and making accusations that the decision to close the road had been predetermined.
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TransEd’s contract allows for total closure, something the city indicates was communicated to residents and businesses as a possibility.
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“No, we didn’t know anything about it, until about a month ago,” says Wayne Sortland, a long time resident who lives right on 95th.
“I’m a little concerned about people coming here and getting frustrated because they can’t find a way in,” says Kathryn Kern the owner of Home and Cottages, a specialty store which draws customers from across the city.
For those who depend on access, it’s hoped TransEd’s mitigation plan to encourage people to access local businesses during the closure will help. “Honestly, I felt like they heard our concerns, they addressed our concerns,” says Kern.
Traffic, including Edmonton transit buses, will be shut down in both directions along 95 Avenue between 92 and 85 streets. North and southbound traffic will still be able to get through the area at 92 and 87 streets. Pedestrian access will remain open, TransEd said.
“We’re going to provide free shuttles to help the seniors and people with mobility challenges to get to ETS bus stops and we’ll look at also organizing some public events and promotions to boost the community,” says Nolan.
Watch below: Strathearn residents and business owners sounded off at an open house to discuss a proposed temporary closure of 95 Avenue. As Julia Wong reports, not many were on board with the plan. (Filed February 2019).
Further information can be found on the TransEd website. Information on public transit detours and stop closures can be found on the ETS website.
The closure will also address, in part, overall delays on the project. The December 15, 2020 opening of the Valley Line is officially off the table right now.
“These issues and these challenges, they’re being addressed,” says Nolan, adding: “We’re presenting our efforts with the city to try and pull the date in.”
The consortium faces financial consequences if they don’t deliver the project on time. “They are significant,” says Chris Gentile, the Acting Project Director for the Valley Line.
“I’m not able to provide any more specifics than that.”
TransEd will hold a public meeting with the community at 5 p.m. on April 17 at the Strathearn Community League to review the plan and answer questions.
The full closure is expected to be in place until November, if everything stays on schedule.
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