City of Edmonton apologizes for concrete bike lane barriers in Garneau
A City of Edmonton spokesperson offered an apology Wednesday night after crews briefly blocked bike lanes with concrete barriers, drawing criticism from advocates and a city councillor.
After the public backlash, the barriers were removed just a day after they were installed.
"We first want to acknowledge that the method of this closure with barriers was not necessary. We could have managed this project differently and we are assessing this approach in order to improve it for future projects," spokesperson Tannis Nygren wrote in a statement.
"We apologize for the inconvenience to the people affected by the temporary bike lane closure and we appreciate those who took the time to raise their concerns."
CTV News Edmonton first requested an opportunity to question a city official on Monday night about the barriers and the decision to install them, but that request was denied.
“This does not align with the city plan, this does not align with our values, this is beyond infuriating,” Coun. Michael Janz said Tuesday before the barriers were removed.
Janz believes the mistake was part of a larger systemic issue where cyclists and other active transportation users are not prioritised the way drivers are.
“We know we’re trying to build transportation infrastructure to walk, to wheel, to roll throughout the city. To have not just a failure like this, but to have such a dramatic and bizarre overreaction, is perplexing and incredibly frustrating.”
Nygren repeated the city's claim that the barricades were placed for safety, because roadway signage had not been installed yet.
However, when the members of the public complained, Nygren said crews made putting the signs up and removing the concrete barricades a "priority."
"We understand how important access to bike lanes are in connecting Edmontonians to their destinations, and appreciate the public’s input, and their patience," Nygren wrote.
The bike lane, which runs along 110 Street near University Avenue, was recently upgraded as part of the city's Building Great Neighbourhoods and Garneau Neighbourhood Renewal projects.
More signs along the route will be added, Nygren said, and lines will be painted in the spring.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Jeremy Thompson and Kerry McAthey
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Bodies found by U.S. authorities searching for missing B.C. kayakers
United States authorities who have been searching for a pair of missing kayakers from British Columbia since the weekend have recovered two bodies in the nearby San Juan Islands of Washington state.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
'It's discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Saskatchewan households will continue to receive carbon tax rebate: Trudeau
Households in Saskatchewan will continue to receive Canada Carbon Rebate payments, despite the province refusing to remit the federal carbon price on natural gas, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday.
'It's just so hard to let it go': Umar Zameer still haunted by death of Toronto police officer
'We hoped for this day, but we were scared that it would not never ever come because it took so long.' That’s what Umar Zameer, the man recently acquitted in the death of a Toronto police officer, told CTV News Toronto in a sit-down interview on Tuesday.
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.