The city is considering a pilot project called the “Car Free Whyte Avenue” project that would shut down a section of Whyte Avenue to vehicles on nights with higher than normal foot traffic.
According to the city, between all of the bars and restaurants on the avenue, there are approximately 10,000 licenced seats on the avenue, and that between midnight and 3:00 am on Friday and Saturday nights there are a lot more pedestrians on the avenue than on a Sunday afternoon.
The pilot project would see an the thoroughfare closed to private vehicles between midnight and 2:30 on busy nights, such as the week when university students return to school, or during Canada Day. Emergency vehicles and ETS busses would still be permitted along the strip, and taxi stands would be set up outside the area. North to south traffic would be allowed to proceed as normal on certain strips.
“Late night safety is extremely important,” Angela Turner with the City of Edmonton said in a written release. “Shutting down parts of Whyte Ave will promote safety, eliminate traffic concerns and increase pedestrian space on sidewalks.”
The city has not set a timeline for the project as of yet, and is looking for public input. You can vote in the “Car Free Whyte Avenue” survey online.
