Upgrades to the Whitemud Drive/Terwillegar Drive interchange are a part of the Terwillegar Drive Expansion Program.
Project Update - July 2026
Stage Two is nearing completion. Construction on the westbound Rainbow Valley Bridge is now complete. Traffic has been shifted to the completed bridge to accommodate ongoing work on the eastbound Rainbow Valley Bridge, which is expected to be finished in 2026.
The Rainbow Valley Pedestrian Bridge opened on July 8, providing a dedicated separate crossing for pedestrians and cyclists adjacent to the Rainbow Valley roadway bridge, enhancing safety and strengthening the overall active transportation network.
The 142 Street Pedestrian Bridge across Whitemud Drive is expected to open the third week of July.
Work continues across the corridor to improve traffic flow, transit reliability and active transportation connections.
Terwillegar Drive Expansion - Stage Two Project Display Boards
Ongoing and Upcoming Work
Several interchange improvements on Whitemud Drive/Terwillegar Drive have been completed, including:
- Widening of the westbound Whitemud Drive to southbound Terwillegar Drive loop ramp
- Widening of the northbound Terwillegar Drive to eastbound Whitemud Drive ramp
- Paving and landscaping for these areas will take place in 2026
Additional interchange work includes:
- Partial ramp widening from northbound Terwillegar Drive to northbound Whitemud Drive and southbound Whitemud Drive to southbound Terwillegar Drive
- Widening of Whitemud Drive to four lanes in each direction between Terwillegar Drive and 122 Street, now complete, with final paving and landscaping scheduled for 2026
- Completion of the westbound Whitemud Drive/122 Street ramp, with final paving in 2026
- Construction of the eastbound ramp will begin in 2026
Transit improvements:
- A new bus-only lane from 53 Avenue to Terwillegar Drive, bypassing the Terwillegar Drive/Whitemud Drive interchange is complete
- A southbound bus stop will be provided at 53 Avenue for Route 31 Leger starting in June 2026. Future service information will be shared on Transit
As part of the project, the retaining walls are complete and the noise wall (southbound Whitemud Drive, 47A Avenue to 45 Avenue) was completed in 2025
About the Project
Stage Two consists of Terwillegar Drive and Whitemud Drive Interchange upgrades including major construction on Rainbow Valley Bridge and the widening of Whitemud Drive. Construction is underway to alleviate congestion, accommodate current and planned transit services, and enhance existing active transportation connections to provide all users with a safe and efficient route.
- Rehabilitating and widening the Rainbow Valley Bridge to 4 lanes in each direction
- Whitemud Drive/Terwillegar Drive interchange upgrades:
- Widening the westbound Whitemud Drive to southbound Terwillegar Drive loop ramp
- Widening the northbound Terwillegar Drive to eastbound Whitemud Drive ramp
- Partial ramp widening: northbound Terwillegar Drive to northbound Whitemud Drive and southbound Whitemud Drive to southbound Terwillegar Drive
- Whitemud Drive widening to 4 lanes in each direction between Terwillegar Drive and 122 Street
- A bus-only lane from 53 Avenue to Terwillegar Drive, bypassing the Terwillegar Drive/Whitemud Drive interchange
- Active transportation:
- A new pedestrian/cyclist bridge adjacent to the westbound lanes of the Rainbow Valley Bridge
- Shared pathway upgrades from 122 Street to 142 Street
- A new pedestrian/cyclist bridge over Whitemud Drive near 142 Street
- Retaining walls
- Noise wall (southbound Whitemud Drive, 47A Avenue to 45 Avenue)
- Tree impacts and preservation
Funding
Stage Two is funded by the City of Edmonton through the 2019-2022 Capital Budget and in partnership with the Government of Alberta.
- Terwillegar Drive/Whitemud Drive interchange upgrades, Whitemud Drive widening and upgrades, widening/rehabilitating the Rainbow Valley Bridges, new pedestrian/cyclist bridge over Rainbow Valley : City of Edmonton
- Bus-only lane from 53 Avenue to Terwillegar Drive: Province of Alberta
- New Pedestrian/cyclist bridge over Whitemud Drive, near 142 Street: Province of Alberta
Project Timeline
2027
2026
2025
2024
2023
2021-2022
2019-2021
Project History
Construction is underway to alleviate congestion, accommodate current and planned transit services and enhance existing active transportation connections to provide all users with a safe and efficient route.
Construction continues on the Rainbow Valley Pedestrian Bridge. Construction on the bridge began in the summer of 2023 and is anticipated to be completed in spring 2026. The bridge will allow users to access nearby nature trails and communities while providing a safe crossing for those who walk, cycle and roll.
Construction on the westbound Rainbow Valley Bridge is now complete. Work continues on the eastbound Rainbow Valley Bridge, and is expected to be completed in 2026. View the construction map. Stage 2 is anticipated to be completed in 2026. This includes both pedestrian bridges, the eastbound Rainbow Valley Bridge, paving, center barrier installation and overhead signage. Additional information will be shared in early 2026. Final landscaping will be completed in 2027.
Construction is underway to alleviate congestion, accommodate current and planned transit services, and enhance existing active transportation connections to provide all users with a safe and efficient route. Stage two construction will continue through 2025 and is anticipated to be completed in 2026.
Construction Details:
- Girder and bridge deck installation for the eastbound Rainbow Valley Bridge, the Rainbow Valley Pedestrian Bridge and the 142 Street Pedestrian/Cyclist Bridge.
- Completion of the westbound Rainbow Valley Bridge and traffic pattern shift to the completed bridge to accommodate construction work on the eastbound Rainbow Valley Bridge.
- Bus lane construction from 53 Avenue to Terwillegar Drive and completion of the supporting retaining wall.
- Widening of Whitemud Drive eastbound between 53 Avenue and 122 Street.
During construction, Whitemud Drive will have two lanes open in each direction during peak hours.
Construction on Stage Two continued through 2024 making progress in enhancing safety, accessibility and traffic flow along Terwillegar Drive.
2024 Construction Highlights:
- Work began on the westbound River Valley Bridge to increase capacity to 4 lanes. This section is expected to be completed in the summer of 2025.
- Construction began on the Rainbow Valley Pedestrian Bridge and the 142 Street Pedestrian/Cyclist Bridge.
- Concrete panels for the bus-only lane retaining wall were installed, and the retaining wall was constructed on westbound Whitemud Drive.
- Roadway widening, median barrier construction and drainage upgrades along portions of Whitemud Drive.
- Noise barrier construction will begin this winter, with landscaping scheduled for spring 2025.
Construction to widen Rainbow Valley Bridge to 4 lanes in each direction began in early 2024.
The westbound lanes have been closed with two-way traffic redirected onto the eastbound lane.
During construction, 2 lanes on Whitemud Drive will remain open in each direction during peak hours, with additional partial closures expected during off-peak hours as necessary. The existing sidewalk will be removed, and a new pedestrian/cyclist bridge will be constructed, ensuring improved safety for people using active modes of transportation.
Work on the westbound bridge is anticipated to be completed in late spring 2025. Once the westbound bridge is complete, work will begin on the eastbound bridge in 2025. Both bridges are anticipated to be in service by late 2025.
Additional construction information will be shared as work continues in 2025.
Access to Snow Valley and the Rainbow Valley Campground will be maintained throughout the project. Pedestrians and cyclists will be temporarily routed through Whitemud Creek ravine during construction.
Construction Bulletin - February 2024
A session to inform the public and provide detailed information was hosted in December 2023.
Terwillegar Drive is being upgraded to ensure this key north-south route continues to connect Edmontonians now and into the future. Construction is underway to alleviate congestion and provide all users with a safe and efficient route.
Stage Two consists of Terwillegar Drive and Whitemud Drive Interchange upgrades, major construction on Rainbow Valley Bridge and the widening of Whitemud Drive. Construction will continue into 2024.
A significant traffic pattern change is required on Whitemud Drive across the Rainbow Valley Bridges. Starting in early 2024, westbound traffic will be moved onto the eastbound bridge. Additional construction information will be shared in early 2024.
Construction for the Terwillegar Drive Expansion includes widening Whitemud Drive between Terwillegar Drive and 122 Street, and the rehabilitation and widening of the Rainbow Valley Bridges. The rehabilitation and widening of the Rainbow Valley Bridges began in May 2023.
During construction, 2 lanes of traffic will remain open on Whitemud Drive in each direction during peak periods. There will be traffic flow impacts during off-peak hours.
Site preparations began in January with the removal of trees along Whitemud Drive. Trees are a highly valued asset and are only removed when all other preservation options are not possible. As part of the Urban Forest Management Plan, the City will plant new trees and shrubs in the project area once construction is complete.
Learn more:
- View Display Boards (14.6 MB) from the April 2023 information session
- Spring 2023 Newsletter
- Tree Removals Bulletin
In November and December 2021, the City hosted 2 public engagement events to share the preliminary design.
Your input will be considered alongside City plans and policies as well as technical requirements as the design and construction plans for Stage Two are finalized.
Learn more:
- Watch the preliminary design presentation
- Figure 1 - Whitemud Drive, Terwillegar Drive Interchange to Fox Drive
- Figure 2 - Whitemud Drive, Terwillegar Drive Interchange to 122 Street
- Figure 3 - Segregated Bus-Only Lane - Anticipated Retaining Wall and Noise Barrier
As part of the public engagement process, we are committed to reporting back on how your input was collected and used. A report detailing What We Heard during this phase of public engagement is now available.
