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MECHANIZED RIVER VALLEY ACCESS UPDATE

June 2016


Construction of the Mechanized River Valley Access (MRVA) began in March 2016 and is anticipated to be completed by late 2017. The City of Edmonton thanks drivers, businesses, and trail users for your patience as we complete this exciting new addition to our river valley.

Work completed in May

  • The project team awarded four of six bid packages, including the funicular, the elevator and site/foundation work, structural steel and concrete.
  • Screw pilings were completed on the urban stair foundation. These types of pilings are wound into the ground, like a screw into wood. They can be installed quickly and with minimal noise or vibration, and are a good option for the type of soil along the river valley slope. 

Work in progress and planned for June

  • Construction now underway across all site areas.
  • Upper promontory cast-in-place concrete for the machine room is in progress.
  • Steel rails for the funicular have arrived in Edmonton.
  • Pile cap construction is in progress.
  • Trail closure updates to be confirmed with LRT. New plans will be issued at barricades and a notification will be distributed. 
  • The team has ongoing communication with the LRT project to ensure coordinated schedules and trail closures around Louise McKinney Park. 

Traffic Impacts

As of June 14, the eastbound lane on Grierson Hill Road will experience occasional temporary closures from the end of the Low Level Bridge merge lane to about 50 m up the hill for construction, deliveries, and material removal. Closures will be during off-peak hours between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

River Valley Alliance (RVA)

In 2013, the City of Edmonton received $72.9 million in funding for five initiatives as part of the River Valley Alliance (RVA) Capital Project. Of this, the RVA contributed $48.6 million, and the City of Edmonton contributed $1.7 million. The remaining funding was granted from the provincial government. The Mechanized River Valley Access project is part of the City’s RVA initiatives and has a budget of $24 million.

The RVA is a collaboration of the seven municipalities along the capital region’s North Saskatchewan River Valley that share a common goal – to preserve, protect and enhance the river valley park system for the year round accessibility and enjoyment of citizens and visitors.

In January 2013, the RVA launched a major $90 million Capital Project that includes 13 priority initiatives in 18 sites. The Government of Canada is contributing up to $30 million through the Building Canada Fund – Major Infrastructure Component towards the RVA Capital Project. The Government of Alberta is also contributing $30 million through the Capital Region River Valley Park grant.

Project Overview
The MRVA will connect the top of bank at 100 St near the Hotel Macdonald to the river valley trail system near the Low Level Bridge. It will provide connectivity between downtown and the river valley, while the thoughtful design and mechanized components will improve accessibility for all users. The existing wood staircase will be reconfigured and partially re-purposed within the new design. 
Photos
Click the above image or go here to view the latest site photos. 
Did you know?
The urban staircase will be 4.5-7.5 m wide, and include room for people to run the stairs, areas to sit and enjoy the view, and a bike rail along its length.
Questions about the Project?

Project Officer
Henry Maisonneuve - 780.495.9923

Program Manager
Michael Schneider - 780.496.7829

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