Happy Back to School to everyone returning to school this week! 🎒📚

As we see our roads become busier, I’d like to take a moment to highlight the importance of slowing down and staying alert, while also providing an update on several construction projects in the Ward that are impacting traffic.

With the return of the school year, ensuring the safety of students on Edmonton’s roads remains a top priority. As a community, we all have a role to play in keeping our streets safe. Please slow down in school and playground zones, stay alert for pedestrians and cyclists, follow posted signs, and give yourself a little extra time during the morning and afternoon rush.

To parents and caregivers, please take a moment to remind children about safe road crossing, using designated crosswalks, and staying aware of their surroundings.

Together, we can help keep our communities safe and ensure that every child gets to school—and home—safely.

If you notice motorists speeding or driving unsafely in school or playground zones, please share your concerns through the appropriate EPS reporting form. Your feedback can help identify areas where additional attention may be needed.

LRT Safety During Back to School 

I would also like to acknowledge that many post-secondary students rely on the LRT as an important part of their daily transportation. I understand the importance of transit safety and ensuring that our LRT system is a safe, welcoming, and accessible space for all students and riders.

Through the “Here to Help” campaign, the City of Edmonton and Edmonton Police Service are collaborating to create a more accessible, safe, and welcoming transit environment for everyone, including new and returning students, first-time riders, and newcomers to our city.

While campaigns like “Here to Help” can provide immediate support and address some of the current challenges we are seeing, we also need to look at longer-term solutions. As we move through the four-year budget process, I look forward to discussing what additional changes and investments can be made to improve safety at LRT stations and across the transit system.

One of the measures that will be part of that discussion is the potential introduction of fare gates. This will be an important conversation as we consider practical, long-term measures to improve safety, security, and the overall experience for transit users. 

Lastly, Edmonton Transit riders can now stay connected on their cellphones throughout all LRT underground tunnels and stations with the launch of Phase 1 of our Underground Cell Service project.

This means riders can continue calling, texting and scrolling on their way to their destinations—making transit more convenient and connected, and ensuring they can stay in touch should an issue arise. Cell service from all major carriers and their sub-brands will be phased in over the coming months:

• TELUS: Koodo, Public — August 31, 2026

• Bell: Virgin Plus, Lucky, Solo — August 31, 2026

• Rogers: Fido, Chatr — as early as October 1, 2026

Construction Updates

With the school year beginning, I also recognize that several construction projects throughout the Ward are affecting traffic and travel times. I’d like to provide a comprehensive update on each project, including current timelines, traffic impacts, and what residents can expect in the weeks ahead.

Thank you for your patience as this important work continues, and for doing your part to help make our roads safer for everyone.

170 Street / Hiller Road

The following information was received from the developer of the 170 Street / Hiller Road construction project regarding timelines for lane reopenings

• Hiller Road new right turn and left turn lane eastbound to be opened September 12th 

• Removal of existing temporary crossover is scheduled for September 14-19th

• Landscaping of all areas ongoing and scheduled to be completed by September 25th

• All lanes to be opened September 26th.

Please note that I have flagged the concerns regarding the number of collisions at this location with EPS. EPS is actively working with Safe Mobility within City Administration to review the collision data and assess potential safety measures at this location.

170 Street / 28 Ave - 38 Ave Construction

Cameron Communities is currently upgrading 170 Street SW, between 28 Avenue SW (Rabbit Hill Road) and 38 Avenue SW, under the City of Edmonton Developer Arterial Roadway Program (DARP). 

The scope of work involves reconstruction of the existing roadway to an urban arterial standard, addressing the current state of pavement, drainage, and street lighting, in addition to installing underground utility infrastructure required to bridge a connection between neighbouring developments.

To accomplish the upgrade, a temporary detour has been installed and is currently operating, shifting traffic around the portion of road being reconstructed, this will be required for the duration of construction until the new road is complete and ready for public transportation to utilize.

Current timelines are below, which are weather dependent and subject to change; however, we will provide you with routine updates throughout the project:

• Construction activities to be completed prior to the full opening of the new road include:

  • Jul – Aug: grading and further underground utility installations

  • Sept – Oct: concrete, paving, and line painting

  • Nov – Dec: street lighting and signage

  • Jan – Feb: EPCOR energization and detour removal

The currently anticipated opening to the public is February 2027, with shared use paths and further completion of the landscaping in 2027.

I would like to encourage people to avoid the area and take alternate routes as crews work to get this project finished. I understand the detour road is an inconvenience but the contractors onsite appreciate having the space and time to get the job done.

Rainbow Valley Bridge Update

The eastbound Rainbow Valley Bridge is now open! This milestone wraps up the major bridge works for Stage 2 of the Terwillegar Drive Expansion project. 

What this means for your commute:

Increased Capacity: Commuters now have access to three eastbound lanes, while westbound traffic flows with two lanes open between 122 Street and 142 Street, expanding to three lanes west of 142 Street. 

Better Reliability: Improved connections between southwest Edmonton and the rest of the city. 

Ongoing Work: Crews remain on site on Whitemud Drive/the Rainbow Valley Bridge to complete median barriers, paving, and other minor work. Expect intermittent lane closures in both directions as work wraps up. 

All four lanes in each direction will fully open this fall. For more information please visit edmonton.ca/TerwillegarDriveStageTwo.

Ellerslie Road / Rabbit Hill Road Intersection

After much review, EverRed has informed me that the timing of construction on upgrading the Rabbit Hill Road and Ellerslie Road intersection has been put forward, at the earliest, a 2027 commencement. Due to a number of Roadway projects in Windermere and Heritage Valley this season and a very wet construction season, it has been pushed at this time to avoid any unnecessary further delays and the potential of more lane closures for an unnecessarily extended length of time.   

EverRed is working with administration to review if there are any possible temporary lane adjustments that can be made at the intersection to improve capacity in 2026. Additionally, my office has made another request to adjust the timing at this intersection to the Traffic Operations department, and they have confirmed that they will be doing another assessment at this location before the end of the year to determine if further updates can be made to the signal timing.

My office will be sure to provide an update through my social media channels and my newsletter should any further changes take place.

Snow and Ice Update from the Conversation at Committee 

On August 31st, Community and Public Services Committee received an update on Snow and Ice operations at the City. You can review all related materials presented to Committee by clicking here and selecting on item 7.1 Snow and Ice Control Policy and Program Review. 

During the Committee meeting, we discussed in detail the challenges faced this past winter season. 

The policy is being updated to take accessibility into account when clearing snow and ice from city streets and pathways. Among the improvements being proposed is moving residential blading to a monthly basis, if needed.

It was also discussed around the re-introduction of calcium chloride. Please note, there are no current plans to re-introduce this chemical solution. As previously noted, I am against the re-introduction of this substance. 

The following two motions were passed and will be discussed during the 2027-2030 Budget Deliberations: 

That Administration prepare an unfunded service package for consideration during the 2027-2030 Budget Deliberations for the City to continue the Assisted Snow Removal Program, following a structure similar to the City of Calgary and informed by discussions with the Province, with considerations for reducing the cost per door to serve more residents. 

That Administration prepare an unfunded service package for consideration during the 2027-2030 Budget Deliberations for the Enhanced School Zone Clearing package as outlined in Attachment 10 of the August 31, 2026, City Operations report CO03513.

As noted, I will be conducting a budget survey in the coming weeks and will be seeking feedback on snow and ice control and whether the above two motions should be supported during deliberations. 

I wish everyone a Happy Fall. Please contact my office at [email protected] should you have any questions. 

Mike