City of Edmonton officials said Thursday that about a third of the construction work had been done on the mechanized river access, or funicular, project in the city’s river valley.
On the worksite, the steel framework for the funicular is visible – once finished, the funicular will function similar to an elevator, and will be able to hold up to 20 people, or up to four wheelchairs.
Next to the funicular will be an urban staircase, and on Thursday, workers were installing the steel framework for that.
Officials said the project is set to be on time, and on budget.
In all, the $24 million project will include seven features – the funicular, staircase, a promenade, pedestrian bridge, elevator and lookout.
The project is meant to connect the downtown core to the river valley, and make it more accessible.
“If you look down from this location, there’s actually a lot of barriers to people trying to get to the river valley and trail system,” Rob Marchak, director of urban initiatives, said Thursday. “This will take you across all of those without having to deal with traffic.”
Also on Thursday, a public art piece was unveiled. Titled Turbulent, the interactive art piece by artist Jill Anholt is inspired by the North Saskatchewan River. Turbulent will also double as seating for pedestrians in the river valley.
The commission for the art piece is $150,000.
With files from Angela Jung
