Mill Creek & Daylighting

[Daveography]

I gave tons of feedback in the survey, but I like three but with less open space and more re-naturalization. The reduced complexity of the roadways is a big plus in that one, too. One was also good, but had no cycling trails, only footpaths.

 

[archited]

Me too, @Daveography, I opted for vision #1 with the modification of restoring the historic rail that coursed through the mid-to-upper banks of the creek so that people could enjoy the view from their seat in a restored tram car -- a more passive experience. I think it was @Hilman who provided the site with a video tram ride from Old Strathcona to Grandin -- I would like to see that line extended along CPR right-of-way south to I think what was 68th Avenue and then, using a former rail spur, over to Mill Creek and south to Muttart Conservatory along the one-time CPR line rail.

 

[Daveography]

More likely was @chrisvazquez7, he's the transportation video guy.

 

[Daveography]

Proposal calls for Mill Creek footbridges to be replaced and repaired
The historical trestle bridges in Mill Creek Ravine might get a facelift.

The bridges, which were used by trains in the 1900s and then converted for pedestrian use in the 1970s, have become weathered over time.

Now city administration is looking for city council approval to go forward with the rehabilitation of the three bridges.

An environmental impact assessment and site location study conducted in the summer of 2016 recommended the three bridges require rehabilitation and two glue-laminated bridges also need replacement.

http://edmontonjournal.com/news/loc...creek-footbridges-to-be-replaced-and-repaired

 

[Daveography]

Naturalizing Mill Creek
City officials have determined it is possible to return Mill Creek to a natural state but at a cost of between $80 million to $130 million.

The creek currently runs into a pipe before it spills over a several-metre drop into the North Saskatchewan River. Letting it run again above ground would re-create rare fish-spawning habitat, plus create a barrier-free series of walking trails in the river valley near the future Muttart LRT station.

But the creek has to cross five to seven roads and other utilities, depending on design, according to a report heading to council’s urban planning committee Wednesday. Construction would also have to deal with contaminated land from the incinerator and brick yard formerly in the area.

Public support for the idea is strong, say city staff. If council supports the idea, they can debate funding $1.8 million to complete the design. Construction could be phased over 30 years because parts of the river valley park system need upgrading. Officials say it’s likely federal and provincial governments would contribute to the project.

http://edmontonjournal.com/news/loc...e-city-expected-to-be-hot-topics-at-city-hall

 

[Daveography]

Edmonton pushes forward on restoration plans for Mill Creek revival
Making portions of Mill Creek come alive again will cost anywhere from $50-$130 million, but it’s something city planners say residents are keen on fixing.

The estimates were discussed at City Hall Wednesday, and come after planners look to “daylight,” or restore, parts of the popular park space so fish can swim again.

In the 1960s and ‘70s, the city closed up a portion of the creek (from 94 Avenue to the North Saskatchewan River) to make way for a large interchange. To do this, crews built a tunnel to divert water from the creek into the river.

But the interchange, which residents fiercely opposed, was never built, so the city has been stuck with the tunnel ever since.

The city now knows it’s feasible to restore the creek as a fish paradise —they just need the cash to make it happen.

http://www.metronews.ca/news/edmont...estoration-plans-mill-creek-city-council.html

 

[Daveography]

Mill Creek Ravine Pedestrian Bridges Rehabilitation: Pre-Construction Meeting
July 6, 2017

Residents are invited to attend a pre-construction meeting for the Mill Creek Ravine Pedestrian Bridges Rehabilitation work, scheduled to begin this fall. The information session will provide project details for the bridge designs, construction schedule and detours.

Date: Tuesday, July 11, 2017
Time: 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Location: King Edward Park Community League Hall (7708 85 St NW)

The City has assessed and will rehabilitate five wooden pedestrian bridges in Mill Creek Ravine. These bridges are bounded by 76 Avenue to the north, 89 Street to the east, and 91 Street to the west. The City recognizes that the trails in the area are heavily used, and that three of the bridges are historically significant. In 2016, the City conducted a survey to gather feedback from residents in nearby communities, trail users and other stakeholders. Based on the feedback, the look of the existing trestle bridges will be maintained as the City proceeds with rehabilitation.

Construction is tentatively scheduled to start in fall 2017 and be completed by the end of 2018.

For more information:
edmonton.ca/millcreekpedbridges

Media contacts:
Kristi Bland
Communications Advisor
780-495-9904

 

[Daveography]

Bridge work to close portion of Mill Creek Ravine in the fall
The trails in Mill Creek Ravine near Ritchie and King Edward Park will close in the fall to facilitate the replacement of five rotting pedestrian bridges.

The $7.5-million project, in the works now for two years, is necessary to ensure the structural integrity of the bridges, which were assessed last year, said Jason Reske, an engineer with the City of Edmonton.

He was meeting with members of the public on Tuesday night during an open house at the King Edward Park Community League, providing updates on the construction schedule.

The closure is expected to last from September through until May, Reske said.

Two of the three trestle bridges on the paved upper trail, which are part of an old railway line, will be refurbished. The other one will be replaced. The two glued laminate bridges on the lower gravel trail will be replaced as well.

"Unfortunately, just due to the topography in the area and the proximity of all the bridges, we've allowed the contractor the ability to close the entire area," Reske said, noting the city is still negotiating with the contractor, who may have some ideas to avoid completely cordoning off the area.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/bridge-replacement-mill-creek-ravine-fall-2017-1.4200647

 

[Daveography]

Shanty towns and meatpacking: Dig to reveal Mill Creek ravine's hidden past
A team of researchers is hoping unearthed remnants from a meatpacking plant in Mill Creek ravine will give them a better understanding of what life was like for workers in early 20th-century Edmonton.

Last year, Haeden Stewart, a PhD candidate from the University of Chicago, spent the summer excavating and analyzing artifacts from a shanty town that sprang up at Ross Acreage in the early 1900s to understand what home life was like for the impoverished, working-class families living in about 50 dwellings.

This summer, Stewart’s attention shifted from those early homes of tents and structures, built from salvaged material and leftover industrialized detritus, to a neighbouring area that was the site of Vogel’s meatpacking plant.

MacEwan University anthropology field students Kathryn Bourgeois, Keyna Young, and Jesse Heintz survey and excavate at the site of the former Vogel’s meatpacking plant in Edmonton’s Mill Creek ravine Tuesday July 11, 2017.DAVID BLOOM / POSTMEDIA

By focusing on the collection of bone fragments from the abattoir, as well as bricks, glass and concrete from the old building, Stewart is piecing together what life was like for ravine residents, as well as understanding how industries connected to the creek supported the city’s growth and development.

“We are trying to get a sense of how the whole thing was laid out,” Stewart said Tuesday. “Just by peeling back a few of these layers, we can get a sense of what people were doing and where they were doing it.”

http://edmontonjournal.com/news/loc...-dig-to-reveal-mill-creek-ravines-hidden-past

 

[Daveography]

Mill Creek Ravine bridges reopen on budget, ahead of schedule—and with pieces of the past

June 22, 2018

On budget, four months ahead of schedule and just in time for summer, the rehabilitated Mill Creek Ravine pedestrian bridges are now officially open.

“The Mill Creek trestle bridges are prominent visual landmarks in the Mill Creek Ravine and are loved by pedestrians and cyclists,” said Sam El Mohtar, Director of Transportation Infrastructure Delivery.

“Completing this rehabilitation on budget and ahead of schedule will provide residents the opportunity to safely use the Edmonton River Valley trail system throughout the summer months.”

The $7.7-million Mill Creek Ravine Pedestrian Bridges Rehabilitation project involved repairing two trestle bridges and replacing one trestle bridge and two glulam (glued-laminated timber) bridges. To recognize the trestle bridges’ historical significance, and largely as a result of public feedback, 20 to 25 per cent of the original wood was used in the rehabilitation of the bridges to maintain their authentic look and feel.

The reused wood was given new life in the bridge piers.

“This project would not have been possible without the insightful feedback provided by the public,” said El Mohtar. “A large majority of respondents felt the Mill Creek Ravine trestle bridges had historic value, and reusing wood from the original structures allowed us to improve the safety and functionality of the bridges, while ensuring the longevity of this piece of Edmonton’s history.”

The trestle bridges were constructed in 1902 as part of the Edmonton, Yukon and Pacific Railway, which was established to connect Edmonton and Strathcona and Calgary to the Canadian Northern Railway. The Edmonton, Yukon and Pacific Railway was decommissioned in 1958, and the bridges were converted for pedestrian use after ownership was transferred to the City in the 1970s.

The three original structures were formally documented for historical reference based on the provincial Historical Resource Act.

Additional trail work and landscaping will continue over the next week.

For more information:
edmonton.ca/millcreekpedestrianbridges

Media contact:
Katie Stewart
Communications Coordinator
780-496-4584
780-991-7874

 

[Daveography]

Of all the Councillors that I thought might have been pushing this, it turns out to be the third least expected...

https://globalnews.ca/news/5272579/edmonton-mill-creek-ravine-daylighting/

 

[Foolworm]

This would be nice but is it worth $80 to $130 million? I'm sure there's a long list of projects that we're not doing because there's no money. Just wondering where citizens would rank this in terms of priority.

It really depends. Can the city line up the same $ value in storm water management projects to deliver in a short time frame? Transit, rec, roads? It really depends. If you have 10 years to spend the money, most likely you'd find some other project. But imagine tomorrow the city was told it had to spend a pot of money within 18 months on new projects which will be finished by 18 months, and will spend almost all of the money on activity in Edmonton/Alberta/Canada; that is new and incremental activity, not changing the source of funding for planned spending.

There's been some discussion on the Valley Line thread about this project potentially on the slate for stimulus funding. I wonder if it could count as flood mitigation, as much of a stretch that is. I'm not sure if it's shovel ready for that matter.

 

[Daveography]

The purpose of this project is to build a trail alignment on the stable ground that connects to the existing trail system. In determining the trail location, the project team has taken into account the environmental impacts, sustainability and user accessibility.

Mill Creek Ravine Trail Realignment - South 76 Avenue

***The discussion has been concluded and the What We Heard Report is now available.*** *Additional project update and supplementary documents can also be found in the Project Library section for your reference.* Thank you for participating in engagement activities for

engaged.edmonton.ca