[CplKlinger]

Construction continues in Downtown Edmonton​

This update provides information on many City projects and programs ongoing in and around downtown.

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Valley Line West LRT construction has led to the temporary full closure of 102 Avenue to vehicle traffic between 107 Street and 102 Street until the end of 2026. The work on 102 Avenue will happen in multiple phases. Phase 1 is expected to last approximately 20 weeks (until August). During Phase 1, north/south traffic across 102 Avenue is available only on 105 Street. Pedestrian access is maintained, but detours are in place. The bike lanes along 102 Avenue were temporarily relocated to 103 Avenue in November 2025. Further Phase 1 details are available in MIP’s construction notice. Information about subsequent phases will be released once details are finalized.

Ongoing City projects downtown​

Beaver Hills House Park and Michael Phair Park Renewal: The new washroom facility in Beaver Hills House Park is now open for public use. The bouldering wall within Beaver Hills House Park is planned to be finished in spring 2026. Both parks remain open while this final feature is completed. Work will restart on Stage 2 of Phase 2 of the Imagine Jasper Avenue project during the 2026 season. Stage 2 will focus on the next section between 117 Street to 121 Street starting in early April. Construction will require temporary lane, road and sidewalk closures, as well as parking restrictions similar to what occured for Stage 1 in 2025 between 114 Street and 117 Street. One lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction at all times. All work is anticipated to be completed in 2027. O-day’min Park Road Renewal will continue this spring with the reconstruction of 106 Street, portions of 107 Street, and adjacent alleys to the park. Construction will require road, alley and sidewalk closures. The park will remain open for public use and business access will be maintained during construction. Work continues on the 107 Avenue Revitalization project. Work will focus on installing new pedestrian lights and concrete work. Construction is occurring off peak hours to limit traffic disruptions. Construction is anticipated to be completed in spring 2026. Work continues on the 99 Street Streetscaping and Waterproofing project during the 2026 construction season. Starting in March, the 100 Street library parkade entrance will be closed until early summer. Single-lane closures on 100 Street, north of Judy Padua Way, are expected to begin in March. All work is anticipated to be completed by fall 2026. Construction continues on the 103A Avenue and 99 Street Streetscape and Pedway project from Churchill LRT Station to the Station Lands development north of 104 Avenue. A pop-up entrance is being built near the CN Tower bus loop on 103A Avenue. Pedway construction is anticipated to be complete in 2026. Site set-up occurred the week of March 9 at the location of the new Chinatown Gate (97 Street between Jasper Avenue and 101A Avenue). Construction fencing and trailers are now set up along both sides of 97 Street. A temporary full closure of a portion of 97 Street near the construction site is tentatively scheduled for late May to erect the steel structure of the gate. The full closure is anticipated to last two weeks. Additional nighttime closures of the same section of 97 Street will follow the full closure. Details of the nighttime work will be released once they are available. The gate is anticipated to be completed in 2027. The Dawson Bridge Rehabilitation project continues to progress. Single lane closures are expected to be in place for approximately three weeks starting in April. Traffic will be controlled by a temporary traffic light placed on either side of the closure. Pedestrian access will be maintained. The project is expected to be completed this spring.

For an overview of City infrastructure projects, visit building.edmonton.ca/projects.

Other work downtown​

EPCOR continues construction on 100 Avenue, west of 111 Street, with traffic impacts along 100 Ave between 111 Street and 112 Street. Westbound traffic will not be permitted along 100 Ave, west of 111 Street. Eastbound/westbound will have restricted turning access onto 100 Ave. Access to the health centre remains open using the eastbound lane. Construction is anticipated to be complete by the end of May.

Traffic disruptions​

Remember to check for traffic disruptions, leave extra travel time and plan your commute ahead of time using Google Maps. It shows real-time traffic delays and suggests alternate routes. Downtown parking information can be found here.

 

[Gronk!]

The 99 Street Streetscaping and Waterproofing project and the 103A Avenue and 99 Street Streetscape and Pedway project are never ending.
Please, Lord, make them stop!

 

[IanO]

Honestly, who recalls a period where Churchill and area was NOT U/C in the last 20 years?

 

[Kosy123]

My guess is downtown will be between 17,000-18,000 by 2030. 1.58 people per unit is high and a lot of development permits don’t go anywhere. If Canada’s immigration numbers had stayed high, I could see 20,000 being a possibility, but I don’t see it to be honest.

That's a fair point to make, but I did highlight development permits that have a pretty good chance of going through, CBRE reported on Highfield, CN Tower and Switch so that's going off at some point, along with that Abbey Lane proposal since they've proven they can get shovels in like their earlier project near 102 Ave. It's why I didn't add BLVD to the list since we've heard crickets on that one.

The thing is I think we're closer to the 17,000 mark already than people think. The 13,000 from the census was back in 2021 when the core had double digit residential vacancies. Really curious what the 2026 census numbers bring tbh.

 

[AntonK]

That's a fair point to make, but I did highlight development permits that have a pretty good chance of going through, CBRE reported on Highfield, CN Tower and Switch so that's going off at some point, along with that Abbey Lane proposal since they've proven they can get shovels in like their earlier project near 102 Ave. It's why I didn't add BLVD to the list since we've heard crickets on that one.

The thing is I think we're closer to the 17,000 mark already than people think. The 13,000 from the census was back in 2021 when the core had double digit residential vacancies. Really curious what the 2026 census numbers bring tbh.

You could very well be right. I’m basing my tempered predictions on international immigration dropping sharply, and nothing more, so the numbers could be higher than expected. Also I recall quite a few units built from 2015-2021, but conversely downtown dropped in population.
I guess I’m on the pessimistic side, but I hope I’m wrong.