ntt1
Active Member
Sure feels like a lot of the construction contracts for these projects didn't even begin work until September-October. Anyone have any insights on why that might have been the case?
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- Thread starter Daveography
- Start date
SarcasticMarmot
Active Member
Based on my interactions with the City staff assigned these projects, it does not seem like senior Admin viewed them as important but as a nuisance thrust on them by council. Every project has a new team made up of entirely junior/inexperienced staff with very minimal support and no coordination. It's pretty clear that Corbould wanted them to fail, don't know if the rest of the senior staff feels the same.
CplKlinger
Senior Member
If the new council does halt this project, I will never forgive development companies like Westrich for donating tens of thousands of dollars to Cartmell's campaign and party. It's difficult to be excited about projects built by a company like Westrich when they give big money to a person who actively opposes providing safe ways for people to get to those new apartments without driving a car.
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northlands
Senior Member
Also curious. I understand the City only has so many resources and thus not every civil project can start in May/June, but it is frustrating when they start a project late in the year, don’t finish it, and then sits idle for seven months through winter blocking lanes and/or sidewalks plus looking like a major eyesore.
106 st adjacent to Warehouse Park is a good example. They didn’t start construction till August, and currently they’re miles away from finishing the west side this year. If the weather turns in the next few weeks they’ll have no chance to finish it and it’ll sit blocking the street along our beautiful fancy new downtown central park all winter. If they started a month earlier they’d be finished no problem.
ntt1
Active Member
Perhaps a bit of an unrelated rant... but while it was technically a part of the Missing Sidewalks program, I was quite frustrated with the contractor who worked on the first portion of the 111 St path south of 34 Ave.
This section is now complete, but there was a good two months worth of a crosswalk being totally inaccessible with no detour signage. Parts of the road were dug up for new curb ramps/concrete work, but once those were done, the gap between the new concrete and road were left open for a good 3+ weeks. When the traffic islands were removed and repoured, there was no detour put in place, or closure signage. I even once came across the contractors doing concrete work with no barriers or signage in place and would have ridden through wet concrete if they hadn't called out to me. Multiple times I saw people trying to cross but not being able to and getting thrown directly out into a four lane road with no crossing. For a few weeks, the only way to cross the west side 34 Ave between Greenfield and Blue Quill was to take the lane on 111 Street southbound and attempt to hop onto the bus stop curb, or continue all the way to Saddleback Road.
I originally was in contact with the project manager but he just stopped responding to me when I raised these issues, and multiple 311 requests got nowhere. It's a non-issue now as everything is done, but a similar disruption for vehicle traffic would be totally unacceptable and it's frustrating that absolutely nothing was done to remedy the concern for a good two months. I finally got frustrated and sent an e-mail to Janz, who forwarded it again, but by the time they got back to me 2 months later, everything was done. Sigh.
At least with the work between Harry Ainlay and Greenfield, there were proper detour signs and barriers, but it appears to have been a different contractor. All this to say that perhaps (presumably) awarding to the lowest bidder on some of these active transport projects has some consequences.
This section is now complete, but there was a good two months worth of a crosswalk being totally inaccessible with no detour signage. Parts of the road were dug up for new curb ramps/concrete work, but once those were done, the gap between the new concrete and road were left open for a good 3+ weeks. When the traffic islands were removed and repoured, there was no detour put in place, or closure signage. I even once came across the contractors doing concrete work with no barriers or signage in place and would have ridden through wet concrete if they hadn't called out to me. Multiple times I saw people trying to cross but not being able to and getting thrown directly out into a four lane road with no crossing. For a few weeks, the only way to cross the west side 34 Ave between Greenfield and Blue Quill was to take the lane on 111 Street southbound and attempt to hop onto the bus stop curb, or continue all the way to Saddleback Road.
I originally was in contact with the project manager but he just stopped responding to me when I raised these issues, and multiple 311 requests got nowhere. It's a non-issue now as everything is done, but a similar disruption for vehicle traffic would be totally unacceptable and it's frustrating that absolutely nothing was done to remedy the concern for a good two months. I finally got frustrated and sent an e-mail to Janz, who forwarded it again, but by the time they got back to me 2 months later, everything was done. Sigh.
At least with the work between Harry Ainlay and Greenfield, there were proper detour signs and barriers, but it appears to have been a different contractor. All this to say that perhaps (presumably) awarding to the lowest bidder on some of these active transport projects has some consequences.
trevorhayden
Active Member
New poll has Knack with a slight lead. So that should be hopeful.
TAS
Senior Member
Here's more background info I was given when inquiring to the late start of projects.
The 2025 programs, as well as those being carried over from 2024, are all being delivered through separate construction contracts and are being managed by different construction project managers (4 teams). Most of the work will take place consecutively, meaning that a construction contractor will finish one route before moving onto the next. Many of the routes are short and many will be constructed using adaptable measures, unlike the shared use paths which began construction in 2024.
Both 2024 and 2025 had construction start late in the season. In 2024, I was told certain routes experienced some unexpected design and procurement-related challenges.
At a council meeting before election break I believe council was told $75 million has been spent so far or committed to in contracts. Given what is proposed still for 2026 (the most amount of work of the three years 2024-26) and what is postponed from 2025 still and requiring work (plus 107Ave in 2027) - that's concerning.
The 2025 programs, as well as those being carried over from 2024, are all being delivered through separate construction contracts and are being managed by different construction project managers (4 teams). Most of the work will take place consecutively, meaning that a construction contractor will finish one route before moving onto the next. Many of the routes are short and many will be constructed using adaptable measures, unlike the shared use paths which began construction in 2024.
Both 2024 and 2025 had construction start late in the season. In 2024, I was told certain routes experienced some unexpected design and procurement-related challenges.
At a council meeting before election break I believe council was told $75 million has been spent so far or committed to in contracts. Given what is proposed still for 2026 (the most amount of work of the three years 2024-26) and what is postponed from 2025 still and requiring work (plus 107Ave in 2027) - that's concerning.
CplKlinger
Senior Member
TAS
Senior Member
Not for 2026 though?
CplKlinger
Senior Member
TAS
Senior Member
This media release went out today - tomorrow is last bike valet of 2025
Bikes Bring Business': Old Strathcona Farmers Market Bike Valet Increases Access for Shoppers and Boosts Local Sales
Why it matters:
Economic boost: Traders report more shoppers arriving by bike, with over 1,300 customers using the valet over the past 18 weeks (many additional people bike and don't use the valet).
Community service: Volunteers from Paths for People, YEG Bike Coalition, and Bike Edmonton have staffed the service, with free tune-ups by Old Strathcona Cycles.
Bikes Bring Business': Old Strathcona Farmers Market Bike Valet Increases Access for Shoppers and Boosts Local Sales
Why it matters:
Economic boost: Traders report more shoppers arriving by bike, with over 1,300 customers using the valet over the past 18 weeks (many additional people bike and don't use the valet).
Community service: Volunteers from Paths for People, YEG Bike Coalition, and Bike Edmonton have staffed the service, with free tune-ups by Old Strathcona Cycles.
thommyjo
Senior Member
95ave is one of the biggest routes at risk. An absolutely vital connection. Arguably the most critical for the entire west end. Going 40+ blocks from 142-182st. It connects everything south of it to downtown, hits the largest high schools on the west end, connected to the largest employment centre on the Westside (WEM), and creates slightly safer crossings for major intersections like 142/149/163/170/178st.
If it gets canceled, I will be unwell…
fromyeg
Active Member
New MUP as you leave Grey Nuns Station.
TagYEG
New Member
113 ST coming along nicely. They have changed the stop signs so that you do not have to stop on 113 ST between 107 AV and 111 AV, which makes for quick movement. Hopefully bike detection loops are coming as this will make the 107 AV crossing much better. The integration of the bike lane at 107 and 105 Avenues could use some work, as the curb ends and it looks like the cyclists are riding on the wrong side of the road.
TAS
Senior Member
Several broken glass panels along the funicular stairs. My friend was on it today and talked to a 76 year old man who was on it at the same (and who bought a bike this year and has put 3,000km on it). The man said he was going to report it on 311 that the city should just opt for a different choice like wire/cable/metal fencing.
Just a quick search but would some along this line work better?
Just a quick search but would some along this line work better?