'It's really exhausting': What one councillor says could speed up Edmonton's construction troubles
City Councillor Andrew Knack is looking for solutions to make the city’s construction in the west end more bearable for drivers.
With major projects like the west LRT, Yellowhead and Terwillegar Drive interchange, road construction is nearly impossible to avoid.
“Combined with every other avenue and street, seemingly in the city that has road construction right now and there comes a point where it’s really exhausting,” Knack told CTV News Edmonton.
Knack says one solution could make the situation worse, but only for a short time. One idea is to fully close sections of road along the LRT route to traffic, so work can be completed faster.
“Ripping off the bandaid on paper sounds great, but it also could mean some pretty significant impact for the next six to eight months. Are we willing to accept that so that we don't have two or three years of road work going on?” Knack said.
The Ward Nakota Isga councillor says from what he’s heard from Edmontonians, many people would be willing to make the trade off. It could mean closing major intersections to all traffic for weeks at a time.
Another option would be to speed up the road work to 24 hours, which could be disruptive at night for people in the area.
The city is working with builder Marigold Infrastructure Partners to expedite road construction.
Construction manager Jonathan Cox says the focus would be on intersections and segments like 104 Avenue with lots of businesses and homes.
“It is time sensitive that we get the commitment for this summer season, so the city can be in a position where other projects are not disrupted,” Cox said.
He says there has been an ongoing volume of complaints for the disruption of construction in the city.
“We did a big year in 2024, we demonstrated that we can produce a volume of capacity along the alignment and now we want to take that into 2025 and tailor our approach to be less disruptive to the communities,” he added.
City council is set to discuss the options of a report that will be discussed by the city’s Urban Planning committee on Feb. 11.
Construction for the $2.7-billion West LRT is scheduled to be completed in 2028.
With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Jeremy Thompson
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Can the U.S. really make Canada the 51st state?
Talk of Canada becoming the 51st American state has raised an existential question on this side of the border: Could it be done? Could the maple leaf make way to the stars and stripes? According to several experts, it may be possible, but not painless.
LIVE UPDATES
LIVE UPDATES 'Terrifying' L.A. fires at 0% containment, 5 deaths reported
A series of wildfires are searing through the Los Angeles area, forcing many to evacuate their homes. Follow along here for the latest updates.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he is 'OK' after OPP vehicle he was in was 'sideswiped' in Highway 401 collision
Ontario Premier Doug Ford was uninjured after an OPP vehicle he was travelling in was involved in a collision on Highway 401 earlier today.
W5 Investigates
W5 Investigates 'I'm in financial ruin': Canadian homeowners sound alarm over contractor accused of fraud
This W5 investigation focuses on mother and daughter homeowners who found themselves in a fight with a general contractor over money they say they're owed, and over work that was never completed on their dream home.
New ranking suggests Canada passport among 'top 5 losers' in the world
A new global ranking may raise doubts about Canada's reputation of being open to other countries.
Energy minister 'committed' to consumer carbon tax as he considers Liberal leadership
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson says he would be 'committed' to the consumer carbon tax should he become Liberal leader and prime minister, despite the policy’s unpopularity.
Convicted Jan. 6 rioter arrested as fugitive in Whistler, B.C.
An American citizen convicted of participating in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot on Capitol Hill who said he was seeking asylum in Canada has been arrested as a "fugitive from U.S. justice," according to authorities.
At least 60 University of Guelph students sick as 'cluster of illness' hits residence
The University of Guelph is dealing with what they are calling a ‘cluster of illness’ among students living in residence.
'A second chance at life': B.C. soccer player nearly killed by stray bullet in U.S. speaks to CTV News
Former Vancouver Whitecaps youth program player Nathan Demian was out celebrating an Ohio State victory that had propelled his top-ranked Buckeyes to soccer’s final four when he was struck by a stray bullet during a gun battle between two passing cars.
Calgary
-
'True when I said it, true today': former Canadian PM Harper pushes back aganst Trump on social media
Former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper doesn’t find president-elect Donald Trump’s jibes about Canada becoming the 51st U.S. state very amusing.
-
'Extremely triggering': Facebook drug ads cause concern for Calgarian in recovery
A Calgary man who struggled with addiction for more than two decades is questioning why his Facebook account has been showing advertisements for drugs.
-
Calgary Flames game postponed in L.A. as wildfires burn nearby
The Calgary Flames game in Los Angeles on Wednesday night has been postponed due to the wildfires raging through the area.
Lethbridge
-
Lethbridge seeing less-than-average snowfall while Rockies return to average
Lethbridge and much of southern Alberta have seen a relatively dry winter.
-
Coaldale man charged in Lethbridge County break-and-enters
A Coaldale man is facing a number of charges after a string of break-ins at rural properties in Lethbridge County were reported.
-
Lethbridge motel murder suspect appears in court
One of three suspects in a Boxing Day murder at a Lethbridge motel appeared in court Wednesday.
Saskatoon
-
'You're killing them inside': Sask. hockey referee blows the whistle on verbal abuse of young officials
A Saskatchewan hockey referee is gaining widespread attention after posting a video on social media telling coaches and parents to “do better.”
-
Sask. man missing since Christmas found dead
A 50-year-old man from Prince Albert, reported missing on Christmas Eve, was found dead Wednesday.
-
Saskatoon residents oppose cell tower precedent
SaskTel is proposing a new cell tower placed on the corner of a Saskatoon park to improve coverage and network capacity, but nearby residents say it’s too close to their homes, and against City of Saskatoon policy.
Regina
-
Regina murder suspect who appeared on national most wanted list arrested
The Regina Police Service (RPS) has arrested a suspect that appeared on Canada's Top 25 Most Wanted list – in relation to a homicide that occurred in May of 2024.
-
Saskatchewan town sees flurry of construction with $30K housing cheque program
An official with a town in southeastern Saskatchewan says its plan to offer $30,000 cheques to anyone building homes in the community is paying off.
-
Saskatchewan experiencing warm up in temperatures this week
Temperatures have warmed up slightly this week for much of Saskatchewan and the prairies – an unexpected surprise for many during the dead of winter.
Vancouver
-
Convicted Jan. 6 rioter arrested as fugitive in Whistler, B.C.
An American citizen convicted of participating in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot on Capitol Hill who said he was seeking asylum in Canada has been arrested as a "fugitive from U.S. justice," according to authorities.
-
A B.C. man's mission of hope in Cambodia, helping human trafficking survivors
The bustling Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh is a city filled with street markets and tuk tuks.
-
Debate among Liberal MPs over voting rules in leadership race
With contenders poised to enter the race to replace outgoing Prime Minister and Liberal Party of Canada Leader Justin Trudeau, concerns are being raised about the party’s criteria for voting eligibility.
Vancouver Island
-
Convicted Jan. 6 rioter arrested as fugitive in Whistler, B.C.
An American citizen convicted of participating in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot on Capitol Hill who said he was seeking asylum in Canada has been arrested as a "fugitive from U.S. justice," according to authorities.
-
Debate among Liberal MPs over voting rules in leadership race
With contenders poised to enter the race to replace outgoing Prime Minister and Liberal Party of Canada Leader Justin Trudeau, concerns are being raised about the party’s criteria for voting eligibility.
-
'A second chance at life': B.C. soccer player nearly killed by stray bullet in U.S. speaks to CTV News
Former Vancouver Whitecaps youth program player Nathan Demian was out celebrating an Ohio State victory that had propelled his top-ranked Buckeyes to soccer’s final four when he was struck by a stray bullet during a gun battle between two passing cars.
Toronto
-
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he is 'OK' after OPP vehicle he was in was 'sideswiped' in Highway 401 collision
Ontario Premier Doug Ford was uninjured after an OPP vehicle he was travelling in was involved in a collision on Highway 401 earlier today.
-
Toronto police arrest one of Canada's most wanted fugitives
One of Canada’s most wanted fugitives, who is the suspect in a fatal double shooting in south Etobicoke more than two years ago, has been arrested.
-
Ontario's so-called 'crypto king' faces new criminal charges in intimate partner violence case
Ontario's self-proclaimed 'crypto king,' Aiden Pleterski is facing charges in an alleged case of intimate partner violence in Vaughan last week.
Montreal
-
Two Quebec planes and their crews helping fight devastating L.A. wildfires
A pair of Quebec water bombers and their crews are in California helping fight the massive wildfires tearing through the Los Angeles area
-
Just for Laughs founder's former sister-in-law testified that he sexually assaulted her
Just for Laughs founder Gilbert Rozon’s former sister-in-law testified against him in court Wednesday, alleging he sexually assaulted her in the ‘90s.
-
Quebec increases funding for mining institute
The province is increasing funding for the Quebec mining institute (INMQ) from $1 million to $1.5 million for the 2024-2025 financial year.
Atlantic
-
Police arrest suspect in two N.S. homicides
Police have arrested a New Brunswick man wanted for the deaths of two people in Nova Scotia last month.
-
Daughter of N.S. woman killed in Edmonton speaks out
Abigail Robson is mourning the death of her mother Ashley Burke, who was killed in Edmonton, Alta, in an act of intimate partner violence.
-
Victim’s friend testifies in Halifax mall murder trial
A second-degree murder trial in the death of Ahmad Al Marrach heard from one of the victim’s friends Wednesday.
Winnipeg
-
Winnipeg hospital death to be investigated as critical incident
The recent death of a man waiting for care in a Winnipeg hospital’s emergency department is being investigated as a critical incident.
-
Protesters block heavy equipment from entering Lemay Forest; trees still being cut down
It's full-blown Lemayhem in St. Norbert. On Wednesday morning, protesters blocked the road to Lemay Forest in an effort to stop more tree cutting in the area.
-
Police chief’s remains believed to be found in fire aftermath
The remains of Manitoba First Nation Police Service’s (MFNPS) leader are believed to have been found following a fire at his home.
Ottawa
-
Canada as the 51st State: Americans in Watertown, N.Y. react
Watertown, N.Y. is a border city where opinions on Canada potentially becoming the 51st U.S. state are as diverse as the people themselves. New Yorkers living in the city about an hour south of the border are weighing in on the idea, with many sharing mixed emotions.
-
'Not for sale': pushback as Trump's rhetoric escalates
Pushback to Donald Trump's escalating rhetoric continued Wednesday following the president-elect's threat to use economic force to acquire Canada as the 51st state.
-
Group calls on province to ban rat poison after Kanata dog nearly dies
After a dog in Kanata nearly died from ingesting rat poison, a grassroots organization is calling on the provincial government to take action to prevent similar incidents from happening.
Northern Ontario
-
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he is 'OK' after OPP vehicle he was in was 'sideswiped' in Highway 401 collision
Ontario Premier Doug Ford was uninjured after an OPP vehicle he was travelling in was involved in a collision on Highway 401 earlier today.
-
Motorist was driving 168 km/h on Hwy. 69, northern Ont. police say
A 21-year-old from Sturgeon Falls has been charged with stunt driving and is accused of exceeding the speed limit by 58 km/h.
-
Ontario has 'strong list' to counter possible Trump tariffs: Ford
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says his government has a “strong list” of possible retaliatory measures if U.S. president-elect Donald Trump moves ahead with imposing tariffs on Canadian goods.
Barrie
-
Over $65,000 in stolen goods seized during Alliston raid: OPP
Ontario Provincial Police executed a search warrant at a Boyne Street property in New Tecumseth, uncovering over $65,000 worth of allegedly stolen items, including a Kubota diesel side-by-side and various tools, dirt bikes, and equipment.
-
Alleged serial ticket scammer 'Todd the Fraud' seeks resolution in case
A Collingwood man nicknamed ‘Todd The Fraud’ by people who say they were defrauded by him in the sale of fake music concert and VIP NHL All-Star Game tickets in Toronto could soon be resolving his Barrie case.
-
Wasaga Beach man plans to live mortgage-free after life-changing lottery win
A Wasaga Beach man is celebrating a life-changing lottery win after saying yes to Encore.
Kitchener
-
Pedestrian dies after crash involving Guelph city bus
A pedestrian has died after a crash involving a city bus in Guelph.
-
At least 60 University of Guelph students sick as 'cluster of illness' hits residence
The University of Guelph is dealing with what they are calling a ‘cluster of illness’ among students living in residence.
-
Faculty strike averted at Ontario colleges as both sides agree to binding arbitration
A strike by faculty at Ontario’s 24 public colleges was averted Wednesday, with both sides reaching an agreement on key points and a promise to resolve outstanding issues in mediation and arbitration.
London
-
Why hasn’t London opened warming centres for the homeless?
Warming centres are welcoming people experiencing homelessness in Toronto, but a much lower temperature criteria in London means the temporary spaces are not operating here.
-
Snowmobile collision claims the life of 58-year-old near Brucefield
OPP say that they responded to a collision on Mill Road just west of the town of Brucefield just before 4:00 p.m.
-
Attempted robbery of London jewellery store has LPS on the hunt for four suspects
According to police, at roughly 4:15 p.m., four men arrived in a white SUV, and entered a jewellery store in the 400-block Wharncliffe Road South.
Windsor
-
Would updated MPAC assessments lead to skyrocketing property tax hikes?
Some residents may assume that a sharp rise in property values would lead to an equivalent increase in property taxes, but that's not the case. Here’s how it works.
-
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he is 'OK' after OPP vehicle he was in was 'sideswiped' in Highway 401 collision
Ontario Premier Doug Ford was uninjured after an OPP vehicle he was travelling in was involved in a collision on Highway 401 earlier today.
-
'What we're doing is working': More dog parvovirus clinics coming to downtown Windsor as deadly outbreak stabilizes
Three canine parvovirus vaccination clinics are scheduled to take place in downtown Windsor this Friday and Saturday as the number of cases related to a parvo outbreak that began last month levels off.
