EDMONTON – The City of Edmonton is asking people to plan ahead for the Tour of Alberta, since the bicycle race will limit vehicle access in and out of downtown on September 3.
While the City is thrilled to be hosting the world-class professional bicycle race, it’s asking citizens to be aware that several streets in and around the downtown core will be temporarily closed to traffic in order to run the event.
“We are expecting a lot of people will want to experience the Tour of Alberta in person,” said Civic Events Director Ellen Finn. “Our advice to citizens not coming out to cheer is to simply avoid downtown between 4 and 9 p.m. We hope many people will come downtown or linger downtown at the end of the work day to watch the race and take part in the festival in Churchill Square. People wanting to head home should leave downtown well before road closures for the event are put into place.”
Those wanting to enter or leave downtown are being asked to go on foot, bicycle, or use the LRT.
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Closure of the race course will be in full effect from 5:15 p.m. until approximately 9 p.m. During the event, the City says access into and out of downtown will be easiest on foot, bicycle or LRT as the following road closures will be in place:
- 96 Avenue/100 Street (Rossdale), 2–8:30pm
- 107 Street, 3:30–9pm
- Grierson Hill, 5:15–9pm
- River Valley Road, 5:15–9pm
- 97 Street, 5:15–9pm
- 100 Street, 5:15–9pm
- 101 Street, 5:15–9pm
- 102 Avenue/102A Avenue, 5:15–9pm
- Walterdale Hill and Bridge, 6–8:30pm
- 99 Street south of 102 Avenue, Noon–9pm
- 99 Street, 102 Avenue to City Hall Parkade closed August 31–September 4
Once the race has begun, departure from the downtown core for motorists will only be available via southbound McDougall Hill, 103 Street and 106 Street.
Motorists are advised to expect major delays on all roadways from 82 Street to 112 Street, and 82 Avenue to 107 Avenue.
Emergency vehicles will have special access in and out of the downtown during the race.
The 7.3 kilometre time trial starts and finishes at Sir Winston Churchill Square, beginning at 6:15 p.m.
The inaugural Tour of Alberta marks Canada’s first major international professional stage race and the Province’s first foray into the sport of cycling.
On Wednesday morning, stage one gets under-way at Festival Place in Sherwood Park and will end in Camrose.
The Tour of Alberta is a six day race, covering nearly 900 kilometers of urban and rural roadways and will include more than 50 communities.
“The atmosphere, the environment here, it’s incredible. I can see the passion here for the sport here and it’s just great to be here,” says Ryder Hesjedal, Team Garmin Sharp.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun for all of us throughout the province of Alberta to see these magnificent athletes, and it’s going to be a tremendous event to showcase our province,” says Mayor Stephen Mandel.
The race will wind through central Alberta before finishing in Calgary on Sunday.
More information on the Tour of Alberta can be found at www.tourofalberta.ca.
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