Mechanized Access Project and Construction Timelines

Construction Update - June 2016

• In May, screw pilings were completed on the urban stair foundation. 
• Work underway in June includes cast-in-place concrete on the upper promontory machine room, as well as pile cap construction. 
• Steel rails for the funicular have arrived on site. 

Mechanized River Valley Access Update - June 2016 

Construction Impacts

Traffic

Traffic disruptions will include a lane closure at the top of McDougall Hill Road for approximately 6 months during off-peak hours. 

The eastbound lane on Grierson Hill Road will also be intermittently closed from the end of the Low Level Bridge merge lane to about 50 m up the hill for ongoing construction, deliveries, and material removal. Temporary closures will be in place during off-peak hours only. 

Staircase

There will be a total closure of the staircase connecting McDougall Hill Road to the top of bank near the Hotel Macdonald for the duration of construction.

Until the staircase can safely be reopened, pedestrians will need to use suggested detour routes. The existing wood staircase will be reconfigured and partially utilized within the new design to maintain this important pedestrian route into downtown.

View a larger image of the Mechanized River Valley Access Pedestrian Detour map.

Tree and shrub clearing

While shrubs and trees are required to be removed as part of the construction process, an equivalent value of new plantings will occur in accordance to the City’s Corporate Tree Management policy.

The number of large trees being removed for this project is minimal, with the majority of the site being low-lying shrubs and brush. The City will also be reclaiming temporarily disturbed areas with native seed mix.

Project History

All timelines are subject to change.

• Concept design - 2015
• Preliminary design completion - 2016
• Construction start - March 2016
• Construction completion - anticipated fall 2017 

Construction of the Mechanized River Valley Access project began in March 2016. 

The Mechanized River Valley Access project will connect 100 Street near the Hotel Macdonald to the river valley trail system near the Low Level Bridge. In addition to the funicular, the project will also have a pedestrian bridge, a unique urban staircase, an elevator, and several seating areas and lookout points along the way.

Along with increasing connectivity in the river valley, the project is intended to address the challenges some citizens may face in accessing the river valley from Edmonton’s downtown. 

Construction is anticipated to be complete by fall 2017.

For More Information

Rob Marchak