Hello Everyone;
I recognize there are many construction-related concerns throughout the Ward, and I want to ensure these issues are addressed. Before diving into those topics, I’d like to share some information about a Budget Conversation I’ll be hosting at the end of November.
First, a friendly reminder that my budget survey remains open until November 20. I strongly encourage you to take a few minutes to complete it and share your thoughts. The more feedback I receive from residents ahead of budget deliberations, the better informed I can be when advocating for our community's priorities.
Please complete the survey by clicking here: https://www.mikeelliott.ca/2027_2030_budget_survey
In-Person Budget Conversation - November 26th
Following the closure of the budget survey, I invite you to join me and Heather Thomson from the Chamber of Commerce for a Budget Conversation about the City’s budget, what it means for our community, and the decisions ahead.
Date: Thursday, November 26th, 2026
Time: 6:45 pm - 8:15 pm, followed by a reception
Location: Riverbend Community Centre, 258 Rhatigan Road East
RSVP: No registration required. Everyone is welcome!
Please note, this is an in-person event only.
During our conversation on November 26, we will discuss the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce’s Back on Track Budget document. Please review the following sections: page 1 for visuals, page 6 for context, and pages 10–14 for the executive summary.
This is an important opportunity to learn more about the budget, ask questions, and share your perspectives. There will be time for questions following the formal program, as well as an opportunity to connect during the reception. More details can be found on the Facebook Event Page.
Your voice matters, and your input helps shape the decisions that affect our community. I look forward to hearing from you and bringing your priorities and perspectives to the Council table throughout the budget process.
Turning to construction updates, our team has actively collaborated with City Administration and local developers this past week to secure the latest progress reports on seasonal accomplishments and winter preparations. We remain dedicated to keeping residents fully informed with timely, accurate information while ensuring community concerns are proactively addressed. The following update is lengthy; however, I believe it provides a helpful snapshot of where we currently stand heading into the winter season.
Terwillegar Drive - North of the Henday: Work on Whitemud Drive and 122nd Street
As noted in my previous update, phase two of the project is now complete.
Outside of phase two of the project , we continue to see closures on Whitemud Drive westbound at 122 street. This was due to embankment erosion caused by heavy summer precipitation. Please note, the work is close to a pipeline, which required Trans Mountain to sign off on City Administration’s construction plan.
The temporary repair design (construction plan) was completed and submitted to Trans Mountain by City Administration at the end of September. Coordination with Trans Mountain and the City occurred to obtain the crossing agreement to resume work on that site.
City Administration then awaited the execution of the crossing agreement, which was received late last Friday. I have since been advised that work is scheduled to begin this week and last until roughly mid-month. Please note, this work is a temporary repair. Once complete, City Administration will remove the lane closure until next year, when the permanent fix can be completed. The permanent repair is scheduled to take place in the summer of 2027.
City Administration maintained regular communication and followed up with Trans Mountain throughout to help move the project forward. I appreciate everyone's patience as we work toward getting this lane reopened as quickly as possible.
Terwillegar Drive - South of the Henday, Windermere Area
Firstly, with respect to the intersection of Windermere Boulevard and 170 Street, I am following up with City Administration regarding traffic signal timing to better accommodate northbound traffic during the morning rush hour and southbound traffic during the evening commute. This information is not yet readily available, but my team will provide an update in future newsletters.
For context, Carmacks Enterprise (the contractor) is working on Stage 3 of the Terwillegar Drive improvements. The project extends along 170 Street, from just south of Windermere Boulevard north past Anthony Henday Drive to near Haddow Drive. The work includes improvements to the Windermere intersection, new ramps connecting to Anthony Henday Drive, a new northbound bridge, and a new pedestrian bridge.
Carmacks has advised that paving will continue in the remaining areas of Windermere, with the bottom lift of asphalt being completed where required. Due to weather conditions, the paving schedule has shifted; however, work at the intersection is still planned. Please note that this is not a one-day operation. Paving has already commenced and will continue in stages until approximately November 18th. Once this work is complete, the new lanes through Windermere will be open, and pavement markings will be in place, addressing the concerns you have outlined.
I understand residents’ concerns regarding the lack of progress in this area, and I continue to emphasize the importance of completing this work to City Administration. In response, City Administration has provided the following update.
The contractor has firmly committed to completing the work this year. If low temperatures or snowfall prevent the asphalt from meeting the required specifications for a permanent finish, sacrificial asphalt will be placed at no additional cost to provide a safe and suitable driving surface throughout the winter.
City Administration has also met with the maintenance provider to review the transition areas, winter snow-clearing requirements, and any temporary traffic measures that may need to remain in place, including Jersey barriers and signage. Any signage that must remain will be mounted on permanent posts, and barriers will be repositioned to allow for snow storage and ensure the full width of the driving surface remains available. These measures primarily relate to the ramps and the small transition area immediately north of Windermere.
170th Street Expansion
Over the 2025 and 2026 construction seasons, significant progress has been made on the project, including road improvements, underground infrastructure, traffic signals, street lighting, landscaping and the addition of a shared-use path. The developer, Cantiro, shared the following with me:
Work completed during the 2025 construction season
Included: earthworks and grading, underground infrastructure installation, road surface construction, street lighting installation and Initial landscaping work.
Midway through the summer, the City added a shared-use path along the east side of the project. This addition required further grading, design adjustments and landscaping work.
What was accomplished in 2026
The 2026 construction season focused on completing the remaining major infrastructure and roadwork, including: completion of the 170 Street improvements, completion of the Hiller Road improvements, installation of traffic signals at the intersection, construction of the shared-use path and completion of the remaining landscaping work.
Before the winter season
Before the winter season, crews will complete the landscaping near the former Ellerslie Road crossing and temporarily pave this section to ensure the area is ready for winter.
In terms of traffic and road opening, the road is expected to be fully open and operational around Friday, November 6, 2026. Recent weather conditions delayed the remaining paving by about 1 week and they were expected to be completed around October 31st.
170th Street SW Upgrade (28 Ave - 38 Ave)
The developer, Cameron Communities, provided the following update regarding 170 Street SW upgrades (28 Avenue to 38 Avenue)
What was accomplished in 2026
A temporary detour road was constructed to accommodate traffic while work progressed on the new road alignment and its underground infrastructure. The full road closure, including the detour road, required to complete utility crossings servicing the developing lands west of 170 Street was successfully completed, and the road was reopened to traffic. Significant progress was also made on the new, realigned 170 Street, including the stormwater management facility, and the southern portion of the new road alignment was paved.
Before the winter season
The developer is actively working to complete the concrete work this fall while continuing efforts to pave the remainder of the road. However, due to rapidly changing weather conditions, it is uncertain whether we will have the favourable conditions needed to complete paving. Every effort is being made to prepare for paving, with the goal of completing the work within the next two weeks, weather permitting.
What remains after that:
Over the winter, work will continue on the remaining project components, including addressing the overhead power lines, installing new arterial street lighting and city signage, and implementing erosion control measures. The original target for opening the new road was February 2027, following the energization of the new streetlights. However, if paving and line painting are deferred until spring due to weather conditions, the road opening will also be pushed to spring 2027. The detour road will remain in place throughout the winter, and preparations are underway to ensure it is ready for the full season and can be properly maintained. Shared-use paths and landscaping will be completed in 2027, as originally planned.
170th Street - Keswick Gate to 28 Avenue SW
The developer, Stantec, has shared the following updates with me. Please note, the project is anticipated to reach substantial completion by the end of 2026, with a targeted road opening date of late Spring 2027.
What has been completed:
Topsoil stripping and grading, including median touch-ups, are complete, as are underground works and surface works along the proposed southbound lanes. Streetlight energization and the Shared Use Path adjacent to 170 Street are also complete. Line painting installation will be completed by City of Edmonton crews, while streetlight and signal installation along the proposed 170 Street west lanes and at the 28 Avenue intersection, serving all traffic directions, will be completed by the City of Edmonton’s contractor.
What remains:
Landscaping along 170 Street East began on October 15, with work expected to continue into 2027. Gas line installation is scheduled from October 19 to November 4. Shared Use Path completion will vary, with the path connections on the north side of the proposed 170 Street expected to be completed this season by November 5, while connections on the south side of the existing 170 Street are anticipated to be completed in Spring 2027. Power and streetlight installation along the proposed lanes is scheduled to take place from November 5 to November 9.
In addition, signage installation, to be completed by City of Edmonton crews, was scheduled for November 5. Surface removal involving the existing 170 Street right-turn bay to 28 Avenue westbound, along with underground works to reinstall the existing catch basin at the 170 Street and 28 Avenue location, is planned for Spring 2027. Streetlight and signal removal and replacement along the existing 170 Street east lanes and at the 28 Avenue intersection for westbound traffic will also take place in Spring 2027 and will be completed by the City of Edmonton’s contractor. This work is anticipated to occur in Spring 2027 due to traffic closure restrictions. Landscaping along 170 Street West is expected to be completed during the 2027 construction season.
Intersection of Rabbit Hill Road and Ellerslie Road
EverRed, in discussions with City Administration, has informed me that the timing of construction to upgrade 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.
On November 3, City Council held a public hearing to review proposed land use and structure plan amendments for the Ambleside neighbourhood. The discussion centred on proposed changes to the Windermere and Ambleside Neighbourhood Structure Plans to accommodate roughly 60 acres of new development near Rabbit Hill Road SW and Ellerslie Road SW.
During the hearing, I raised strong concerns regarding existing traffic congestion at the Rabbit Hill Road and Ellerslie Road intersection. Specifically, I pushed City Administration and the developer to explain how incoming vehicular traffic from this 60-acre expansion would be managed before broader roadway improvements are completed.
In response, City Administration and the developer noted that traffic impact assessments align with long-term growth plans. They emphasized that both the development and surrounding arterial road expansions will occur incrementally alongside localized access improvements. I know this intersection has caused continuous frustration for residents, and I will continue advocating to ensure these long-overdue upgrades are delivered as quickly as possible.
I hope the information above is helpful. I recognize the impact these projects have on our daily commutes, and I continue to work closely with developers and City Administration to advocate for improvements to be made as quickly as possible.
I hope to see you at the Budget Conversation on November 26th. There will be an opportunity to connect with me directly following the formal program, and I welcome any questions you may have, including those unrelated to the budget.
Sincerely,
Mike