Southwest Anthony Henday Drive bridge completion delayed into 2023
Residents of southwest Edmonton will have to put up with Anthony Henday Drive construction longer than expected.
Work to widen the freeway from four to six lanes at the bridge spanning the North Saskatchewan River has been a source of frustration since July.
CTV News Edmonton has learned that while progress has been made on the $100-million upgrade, the project has been delayed a year.
"While the majority of the southwest Anthony Henday Drive expansion project will be complete this year, bridge work will continue into 2023," said Mike Long, an Alberta Transportation spokesperson.
The majority of bridge widening work will be completed this year, Long added in a statement to CTV News. Girders on the westbound bridge will be installed this year, while work to add girders to the eastbound bridge is scheduled to begin in spring 2023.
"Several factors, including weather delays, labour shortages and supply chain issues, have contributed to the delay in completing the project this year," Long said. "Because of the delay in completion, the contractor will incur financial penalties as outlined in the project contract."
The westbound bridge is closed weekly from 8 p.m. on Thursdays to 6 a.m. on Mondays until October, limiting traffic to one lane in each direction on the eastbound side.
During the winter, two lanes of traffic in each direction will be open to motorists.
"We understand that these closures are inconvenient for motorists and will create delays, however, the investment we are making will allow for increased capacity, result in less congestion and improved travel times," he added.
Whitemud Drive is the recommended alternate route.
Jim Oko, who relies on the Henday several times a week, says he's been avoiding it whenever he can.
"It's very frustrating," Oko told CTV News Edmonton. "I don't know why they didn't put in three lanes going each way to begin with."
"I'd like to think that this is the end of it, but I've come to realize with this government and the city, unfortunately, we always build towards today," echoed Yvette Nault-Swinerd, another motorist.
"We don't build towards the future," Nault-Swinerd added. "So my biggest worry is we'll have the three lanes, which will be wonderful, but by that time, we'll need four or five lanes."
Both Oko and Nault-Swinerd expressed frustration over the sudden lane changes around the construction site.
"I hate the stress," Nault-Swinerd said. "I hate getting caught out in a lane. I hate just the aggravation of it."
Gary Brooks, Carmacks Enterprises president, said while those changing lanes may appear random to drivers, they are being done to give concrete time to set.
"They pour the concrete, and it needs time to cure before they open the roadway," Brooks said. "That was the catalyst for having these centre lane closures, which is very uncommon on an asphalt piece of roadway.
"We would not create a delay unless it was for a good reason and predominately it's for public safety and then secondly for worker safety, of course," Brooks added.
He estimated that delays next summer would likely be less disruptive than those this summer.
"We're anxious to have it open as soon as the commuter is too," Brooks said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Biscuits with possible plastic pieces, metal found in ground pork: Here are the recalls for this week
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.