Construction disruption: Major closures for Valley Line LRT work

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For many Edmontonians, it will soon take longer between downtown and West Side, starting this month, with some major intersections closed and reduced lanes on busy routes.

More intensive road construction is planned along the valley line LRT West Road from mid-April to November.

Jonathan Cox, construction manager for Marigold Infrastructure Partners, said the “acceleration” plan is an improvement as it will integrate construction faster in some areas.

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“The negative is that there will be an increase in disruption in the short term. We think this is an advantage for everyone, including businesses and stakeholders. It is certainly an advantage for us because we want to effectively get in, work, finish, and reopen the path to final calibration,” he told reporters.

While this will speed up work at the intersection, the plan is not to speed up construction along the remaining routes.

Stage 1

The largest and longest disturbances are expected to be on 104 Avenue in spring, summer and fall.

In a 2.3 km extension between 105th Street in Rogers Street, the route will extend to one in each direction. The crew will begin early preparations in the week of April 14 – moving towers, laying barriers and adjusting traffic – next week’s enhanced road work begins.

Starting the week of April 21, the intersection of Stony Plain Road and 124 Street will be completely closed for two months. No vehicle can cross an intersection.

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Stony Plain Road on 156 Street will be partially closed at about the same time as up to three months, with traffic transfers halfway.

The next partial closure is scheduled to be held in early May at 87 Avenue and Meadowlark Road, which lasted for two and a half months. There is a lane in each direction at 87 Avenue.

Completing this phase will trigger the next phase, although the city warns that there may be a small amount of traffic restrictions left.

Stages 2 and 3

The second phase is scheduled from July to September.

Work will continue along the roads of 104 Avenue. Stony Plain Road and 142 Street, as well as 95 Avenue and 156 Street will all be partially closed.

The third phase will end the work of 104 Avenue and add a partial closure to Stony Plain Road on 149 Street by mid-November.

“100% delivery”

Cox told reporters he was “very confident” that the marigold would follow the updated schedule.

“We have secured some contractors that promise to work longer hours to achieve this,” he said.

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“Our plan is 100% consistent with the Council’s commitment.”

He explained that the biggest risk to the schedule is rainfall. Especially if there are many days of downpour.

Although costs are expected to increase due to tariffs in the trade war with the United States, Cox said the company will stick to the 2028 completion date.

“Marigold is fully committed to completing the construction timeline in 2028. Cost challenges and tariff challenges, we are working on, and we will not allow this to affect the construction timeline.”

lboothby@postmedia.com

@laurby

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