It’s been two weeks since the stony plain road bridge was demolished and already residents are feeling the effects.
The bridge was removed to make way for a new wider one that will accommodate both traffic and the expansion of the Valley Line West LRT.
“They have to do some major digging and the vibration and the noise, if I’m upstairs reading I can feel the house shuttering, its shutting because of the machinery,” said resident Murray Meads. He added that there has been a significant increase in traffic.
“Main issue is all the people still shortcutting through the neighbourhood to go between stony and 107 Avenue.”
These unwanted detours are leading to safety concerns for people with small children and pets, Meads said.
“They don’t slow down for us at all, they don’t pause and wait for us at all.”
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Neighbour Myrna Quaale says not only are there more vehicles but many drivers are speeding, and in areas they normally wouldn’t.
“Our alley has become a main street and it was so bad that the ruts were so high that the city actually cleared it yesterday because the ruts were so high people were getting stuck,” she said.
The city has posted a new speed limit sign in the alley in order to deter drivers from speeding through. But residents say they need to have more signage father east down Stony Plain Road so that people don’t end up on residential streets as a last resort.
In a statement to Global News, the city wrote “We understand impacts from construction can be disruptive and frustrating. The City’s Traffic Operations teams have been in close contact with Marigold Infrastructure Partners (MIP) regarding traffic impacts as part of the Stony Plain Road Bridge work. As with all major road construction, it takes time for traffic to adjust to changes while drivers find alternate routes to their destinations. The City is actively monitoring shortcutting and will work with our teams and MIP to address emerging situations as they arise.”
“In the short term, we will continue to meet with those affected by construction and take steps to mitigate disruption where possible, with measures such as improved signage and wayfinding. Motorists are reminded to obey all signage and follow the rules of the road. “
“In order to minimize traffic disruptions during the bridge demolition, MIP received an overnight roadwork permit so Groat Road could reopen for commuters on January 3 as scheduled. MIP provided nearby residents with notice of the overnight work in advance of the closure.”
The bridge is expected to be closed until fall 2024.
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