Good Afternoon Ward pihêsiwin residents,

I’m writing today to share an update with you on a number of issues and projects taking place in the Ward.

Firstly, a friendly reminder that my snow and ice survey will remain open until Friday, June 19th. To complete the survey, please click this link. Please note that after the first question, a pop-up may appear indicating that additional questions remain. Simply close the pop-up to continue.

Following the snow and ice survey, we will host a town hall on June 29th from 6:30pm-8:00pm at the Booster Juice Recreation Centre (Multi-Purpose Room Number 4). Details can be found here on the event: https://www.facebook.com/share/18hTTadBnn/ 

Terwillegar Drive Bus Lane

Thank you to everyone who reached out to my office and for sharing your request with me to have the 53 Ave bus lane opened up to private vehicle traffic.

I can appreciate the frustrations with the traffic congestion in this area and how this may seem like a viable solution to those problems. 

Over the past few weeks, my team has been gathering information regarding this bus lane, how it came to be and what the feasibility is of opening it up to private vehicle traffic. I would like to share with you some history on this as I feel this context is important.

It is important to note that, during the early stages of the Terwillegar Drive Expansion Project, the previous Provincial government agreed to fund the project on the understanding that it would prioritize and improve transit service for the area. At the time, the Province proposed bus lanes separated by concrete barriers from the remaining traffic lanes. Ultimately the barriers were removed as a requirement, to save costs and allow for future flexibility. However, the City’s obligation to construct dedicated bus lanes remains as part of the continued Provincial funding agreement.

One option I explored was the possibility of converting the bus lane into a High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane, which would allow taxis, ride-share vehicles such as Uber, and vehicles carrying three or more occupants to use the lane alongside buses. However, after further review, it became clear that this would not be an ideal solution as EPS and the City of Edmonton do not have the resources to properly enforce the HOV lane. Expanding access to the lane would also undermine its primary purpose of prioritizing transit service.

With respect to constituent suggestions to open the lane to private vehicle traffic during off-peak hours, this is not recommended as it would be difficult for the City to manage and would likely create confusion and frustration among drivers who had become accustomed to using the lane when the time comes to change the lane back to a bus-only lane again. Traffic Engineers also noted that this would open up the opportunity for traffic splitting as traffic could use the ramp over the 53rd Ave bridge to bypass the Whitemud which would be a traffic safety issue.

Recently, I met with ETS to further discuss the planned usage for this bus lane, and they have shared the following with me;

Starting in late June, bus Route 31 will run during weekdays every 15 mins during the hours of 7am to 9:30am and 2:30pm to 5:30pm. The bus will run every 20 mins between 9:30am and 2pm, and will run every 30 mins between 6am and 7am and between 5:30pm to 9:30pm. The bus will not run on weekends.

I understand the concerns regarding the significant investment in this infrastructure and the perception that the lane is currently underutilized. However, with upcoming service changes and continued growth in the area, bus usage along this corridor is expected to increase significantly. Administration has also assured me that they will be monitoring ridership levels, and will be making changes to this route as needed.

I would also note that with the construction of the new overpass over the Henday, a new Bus Rapid Transit route from South Campus to Windermere is anticipated. Bus Rapid Transit would see busses operating similar to LRT - frequent, reliable service on a dedicated roadway that provides a reasonable transportation alternative. I do not support the LRT coming to the Ward due to the serious crime and safety concerns that come along with it, however, BRT provides a safe, more affordable alternative that I feel is a better fit for our Ward at this time. Residents will begin to see the lane used more frequently as demand for BRT increases in the future, reinforcing its important role in supporting efficient transit service for this area. 

ETS also shared with me that the extension of Route 31 to the Ambleside Transit Facility has design phase funding secured, but does not yet have funding for the construction phase. I’m hoping that funding for the project to move forward will be secured at the upcoming 4 year budget deliberations taking place in the Fall of this year.

In conclusion, I support the bus lane remaining dedicated for bus-use only, as it would be shortsighted to change the use of the lane before the intended system is even implemented. After the system has been implemented and we have the opportunity to see it function as intended, I would be open to revisiting the discussion of converting the lane to an HOV lane again if we do not see a reasonable uptake in transit service for the area.

170 Street Construction

Thank you to everyone who has shared your frustrations with me about the construction in the Windermere area. If you have not yet read my previous update regarding this construction, I would encourage you to do so by following this link.

I would like to share a further update with you regarding my advocacy with City Administration.

Over the last several days, I have advocated for more frequent website updates to ensure residents receive timely information. Administration has committed to more diligent updates on the following pages:

• Terwillegar Drive Updates: https://www.edmonton.ca/projects_plans/terwillegar_drive/stage-three
• Developer Arterial Projects: https://www.edmonton.ca/projects_plans/roads/developer-arterial-projects

Regarding the Windermere Boulevard intersection, City Administration informed my office that as of Sunday, May 24, three southbound lanes are now open. This includes dedicated left-turn, thru, and right-turn lanes. While this should provide some relief, please note that the intersection remains congested as it was operating at capacity prior to construction. Administration will continue to monitor operations and make adjustments where possible. Additionally, the contractor is committed to accelerating work with extended hours, weather permitting.

I have also received comments concerning emergency vehicle access and flagged this for City Administration. Maintaining safety is a top priority. Due to the staged nature of this work, emergency access is being maintained and will remain a priority as the project progresses. Before construction begins, the City works closely with Edmonton Fire Rescue Services, EMS, and the Edmonton Police Service to review traffic management plans. During construction, the City and our contractors continuously monitor traffic flow and collaborate with first responders to ensure safe and efficient movement in the area.

Whitemud Road Landslide Restoration

The City of Edmonton will begin a construction project along the valley slope west of Whitemud Road NW, between approximately 4120 and 4103 Whitemud Road NW. This is the site of the former Whitemud Road Landslide.  

This project will include restoration of the existing site access trail along the slope and localized slope repairs adjacent to the access trail, as shown on the attached plan. Restoration of the site access trail is required to provide equipment access to the valley slope for ongoing site maintenance and monitoring. The site access trail became partially blocked with debris, following minor slumping of the upper slopes.  

Construction is anticipated to start in June and will be completed in the fall of 2026. There will be no impact to traffic; two-way traffic will be maintained. The bicycle lane along Whitemud Road from 43 Avenue NW to Ramsay Crescent NW will be closed during construction. Bike detours will be available via 43 Ave and Ramsay Road. Access to private properties will be maintained throughout construction. 

This information will be shared with residents in the vicinity of the construction project, located along Whitemud Road NW.  

Henderson Post-Public Hearing Update

The Public Hearing was held on May 5th for the rezoning of the Henderson Park School site (3408 and 3430 Riverbend Road NW). The rezoning application was approved, allowing the project to proceed with the construction of a K-6 Francophone School. Please note that the school will only occupy a portion of the park, and the park itself will still remain available. More details on the history of this site can be found by reading my previous blog post. 

Had this item not passed, the site would have remained a Future Development Zone (FD). While the land would have continued to function as a park in the short term, it would have served as a "holding zone" pending future development and would likely have been developed as an affordable housing site. 

I understand there may be uncertainty regarding this development. Please be assured that I will work closely with the Province and the French School Board to receive timely updates. Additionally, you can stay informed by visiting the School Now website at https://www.alberta.ca/schools-now. You may also visit the Alberta Major Projects website, which provides an inventory of school and other projects in Alberta valued at $5 million or greater, including estimated costs and timelines.

Ambleside Rezoning Item Coming to Public Hearing on June 15

I would like to inform you that Item 4.1 Bylaw 21508 - To allow for a range of small scale housing, Ambleside will be coming to Public Hearing on Monday, June 15.

This application was submitted by Stantec Consulting Ltd. on behalf of Ever Real Estate Developments Ltd. The proposed Small Scale Flex Residential Zone (RSF) would allow development with the following key characteristics: 

• A range of small scale residential development
• A maximum building height of 12 metres (approximately 3 storeys)
• A maximum site coverage of 55 per cent. 

For further information on this item, please view the Planning Report here.

Please note that Councillors are strictly advised against reaching a final decision, or communicating a position on a development application, prior to the conclusion of the Public Hearing. Refraining from such communication is a legal requirement discussed in the Municipal Government Act of Alberta.

At Public Hearings, any and all speakers are permitted to speak for up to 5 minutes either for or against a development application. Once Council has heard all submissions, including information provided by City Administration, Council will then debate the matter and reach a decision.

Please see the “Request to Speak” section here for information about registering to speak at a Public Hearing. Alternatively, if you would like all of Council to receive your comments electronically, please send them to [email protected] in advance of the Public Hearing date.

Ellerslie Road / Rabbit Hill Road Intersection

I continue to hear from many of you with serious concerns about safety and congestion at this intersection, and please just know that I hear you. My office keeps in frequent contact with Ever Red, who will be responsible for upgrading this intersection. Ever Red has confirmed that they are getting close to finalizing a timeline to upgrade this intersection, and I am hopeful to have some good news to share with all of you soon.