Rehabilitation (University Avenue to 80 Avenue) and reconstruction (80 Avenue to 82 Avenue) of Gateway Boulevard is planned for 2022.

Project Update - July 2021

Concept plans for both the rehabilitation (University Avenue to 80 Avenue) and reconstruction (80 Avenue to 82 Avenue) are complete and in preliminary design. The draft preliminary design for the Gateway Boulevard Reconstruction is complete and the draft preliminary design for the Gateway Boulevard Rehabilitation is ongoing. Stakeholder discussions for the reconstruction between 80 Avenue to 82 Avenue will continue throughout summer 2021 to refine the plan from input, technical requirements and funding. Construction for both the rehabilitation and reconstruction is anticipated to begin next spring.

Preliminary Design Rendering

In addition to the Gateway Boulevard Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, there are other area projects that has been implemented this summer:

  • Two pedestrian scrambles were installed on Whyte Avenue at Gateway Boulevard and 104 Street in late August 2021. Pedestrian scrambles are an effective tool to provide safe and accessible crossings in high-pedestrian areas. Learn more at edmonton.ca/PedestrianScrambles
  • This August, the new default speed limit for most residential and downtown streets, including Whyte Avenue, changed to 40 km/h. Gateway Boulevard will not be impacted by this change, however local streets near the project will be changed. Learn more at edmonton.ca/SafeSpeeds

Gateway Boulevard Map

Key Highlights

  • Proposed new sidewalk on the east side of the road between 80 Avenue and 82 Avenue
  • Proposed curb extensions at 82 Avenue, 81 Avenue and 80 Avenue intersections
  • Proposed sidewalk widening on the west side of the road between 81 Avenue and 82 Avenue to enhance pedestrian space and provide an amenity zone for potential landscaping
    • The trade off for these features is removal of on street parking on the west side of Gateway Boulevard
  • Proposed replacement of the road, some curbs, gutters and sidewalks between University Avenue and 80 Avenue with similar material to expand the life of the road.

About the Project

Gateway Boulevard enters the City as Highway 2 from the City’s south corporate limit. It is the main entrance and corridor into the heart of Edmonton, including Old Strathcona, the river valley and downtown. North of 23 Avenue, the freeway portion of Gateway Boulevard ends and becomes a major arterial roadway. Between University Avenue and 79 Avenue, Gateway Boulevard is a 4-lane roadway that transitions into a 3-lane roadway north of 80 Avenue. Between 81 and 82 Avenue (Whyte Avenue), the roadway accommodates 3 lanes of traffic with a right turn lane and on-street parking on the west side.

Many previous and current studies have been conducted that impact Gateway Boulevard. Existing studies include the Strathcona Area Redevelopment Plan, Strathcona Junction Area Redevelopment Plan (2012), Plan Whyte (2019) and the City Plan.

University Avenue to 80 Avenue Rehabilitation

The City has funding for the rehabilitation of Gateway Boulevard between University Avenue and 80 Avenue. The rehabilitation, tenatively scheduled in 2022, involves replacing ‘like-with like’ for the roadway, with some curb and gutter repair and some sidewalk repair.

80 Avenue and 82 Avenue Reconstruction

The City has funding available for reconstruction of Gateway Boulevard between 80 Avenue and 82 Avenue. Reconstruction, which includes opportunities for improvements, is tentatively scheduled in 2022.