Though current timelines put construction at least 25 years away, the City of Edmonton is getting a jump-start on planning for a new river crossing over the North Saskatchewan River. The need for a span in the northeast part of the region — connecting Edmonton with Strathcona County through Highways 15 (Manning Drive) and 21 — was identified in a 2011 study presented to the city's authority for growth, the Capital Region Board. 

Northeast River Crossing study area, image via City of Edmonton

In January 2017, the City of Edmonton, City of Fort Saskatchewan, Strathcona County, Sturgeon County, and Alberta Transportation banded together to formulate a study that will identify the long-term needs of the area and recommend a location for the bridge and connecting roads. The Northeast River Crossing Functional Planning Study is expected to run until December 2018, with feedback from local stakeholders and the public informing the report.

As part of the public engagement effort, the City is hosting two public meetings this week. The first will be held on Wednesday, April 19, from 4 to 8 PM at Bethel Lutheran Church (298 Bethel Drive) and the second on Thursday, April 20, from 4 to 8 PM at Horse Hill School (19355 Meridian Street NW). The same information will be presented at both meetings, with formal project presentations taking place from 5:30 to 7 PM on both days.

Will you be attending one of the meetings? You can get involved in the discussion by leaving a comment in the field provided below or checking out the designated Forum thread.