Gus Haynes
Active Member
Really? I thought that was still in the "development/design" phase through 2026? https://www.edmonton.ca/projects_plans/roads/high-level-bridge-rehabilitation
|
|
|
Downtown
- Thread starter Daveography
- Start date
Greenspace
Senior Member
As mentioned, there's no way some of those projects will be done in 1 year, so it will be 4 bridges, plus Jasper Avenue, plus Valley Line.
CplKlinger
Senior Member
Sure, they should have those conversations. But they should start by getting their facts right - such as about how many bridges are being worked on at a time, let alone closed. It's hard to trust what they say when they get such basic facts wrong. Sure, we can worry about scope creep, and a partial closure turning into a full one. But then say that, not "the city is currently planning to close five bridges at once", which is patently false and easily disproven. If they're misleading us on that, why should we trust whatever else they're telling us?
Again, they should say that instead of telling people five bridge closures are planned to occur at once. Or even better, leverage that situation by asking the city to commit to finishing the 2025 projects before starting the next ones, instead of vaguely calling for projects to be delayed, leaving joe public (and the actual decision makers) to fill the gaps themselves.
Last edited:
Gus Haynes
Active Member
You still haven't identified what the fourth closed/disrupted bridge is this year! I'm asking because I'm legitimately confused.
Greenspace
Senior Member
Sorry, I meant 3 this year, potentially 4 next year. And I was counting Low Level twice (two bridges).
The point is the amount of disruption to traffic. I'd love construction to be on time, for everyone to walk or take LRT instead, but that's not likely. Admin even states that these timelines are starting points and updates will be given as the project progresses.
I take my cue from other major projects where they are all delayed, and communication is around what's happening not how they're fixing concerns. Is this different than other cities construction projects, probably not. Does another Downtown have several major entry points closed all at once? Probably not. Happy to take my fair share of construction issues within reason.
The point is the amount of disruption to traffic. I'd love construction to be on time, for everyone to walk or take LRT instead, but that's not likely. Admin even states that these timelines are starting points and updates will be given as the project progresses.
I take my cue from other major projects where they are all delayed, and communication is around what's happening not how they're fixing concerns. Is this different than other cities construction projects, probably not. Does another Downtown have several major entry points closed all at once? Probably not. Happy to take my fair share of construction issues within reason.
SarcasticMarmot
Active Member
Both the Kinnaird bridge refurbishment and Latta Bridge replacement were done ahead of schedule. So contrary to the narrative the City does have a recent track record of completing bridges as planned.
David A
Senior Member
This is the problem, where various disruptions, some partial closures and some happening at different times get conflated to having four bridges closed by some people with an agenda.
Our media used to strive for accuracy in communication, now it is often just anger and misleading over statement.
IanO
Superstar
Nice to have O'Byrne's open in the former Rose and Crown spot. Nice staff, decent menu, love how the pub is broken up to permit actual sections and even a few snugs.
IanO
Superstar
#urban
Last edited:
Gronk!
Senior Member
St Patrick's Day weekend is gonna be a blast!
Gronk!
Senior Member
David A
Senior Member
So, to summarize one bridge is closed for one year, one with occasional night and weekend closures and intermittent lane reductions, a third closed going south and with traffic rerouted to a nearby bridge.
This doesn't sound as bad as what those people setting their hair on fire make it out to be.
This doesn't sound as bad as what those people setting their hair on fire make it out to be.
kcantor
Senior Member
The only "grain of salt" that needs to come with that is that it's not just the bridges (assuming the work all starts and finishes in the time frames projected.
It's closing Jasper Avenue for the next 112 (insert sarcasm emoticon here) phases of Jasper Avenue New Vision and LRT roof repairs and streetlight structures replacement etc.; it's the ongoing closures and re-routing for LRT on 104 Avenue and 102 Avenue (even with the proposed accelerated schedules for sections of that); it's the myriad slowdowns on Yellowhead and Whitemud and Yellowhead and Whitemud crossings/intersections)...
I sometimes think part of the problem is the City looking only at the relatively local impacts of their work without looking at the impacts of that work on traffic corridors and routes in and out of downtown.
As just one example, I'm sure the City considers 107th Avenue to be an alternative access to downtown from the west end. Except that 107th Avenue eastbound has been reduced to a single lane for months now.
David A
Senior Member
Yes, you are right. There are two problems here, one is misinformation about 4 bridges being closed, which whoever is spreading this is being irresponsibly misleading and this has provoked my ire and posts.
Secondly, as you mention there is a lack of coordination and cumulative impacts of transportation and infrastructure projects. Of course these projects and road closures happen throughout the city, such as the Yellowhead and Whitemud ones you mention, and don't only affect downtown.
It is unfortunate that the people dealing with the bridges, the people dealing with LRT and the people dealing with roads seem to operate in silos. It is up to senior management and council to coordinate all of this better and I agree clearly they are not doing a good job here.
Secondly, as you mention there is a lack of coordination and cumulative impacts of transportation and infrastructure projects. Of course these projects and road closures happen throughout the city, such as the Yellowhead and Whitemud ones you mention, and don't only affect downtown.
It is unfortunate that the people dealing with the bridges, the people dealing with LRT and the people dealing with roads seem to operate in silos. It is up to senior management and council to coordinate all of this better and I agree clearly they are not doing a good job here.
kcantor
Senior Member
^
They also need to make sure that EPCOR in particular (as well as Telus and ATCO et al) are part of the same overall coordination efforts. I know there have been previous acknowledgements of the importance of this kind of coordination but the results are as lacking as they've ever been.
They also need to make sure that EPCOR in particular (as well as Telus and ATCO et al) are part of the same overall coordination efforts. I know there have been previous acknowledgements of the importance of this kind of coordination but the results are as lacking as they've ever been.