Active Transportation Network Expansion

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Family walking on shared use path with scooter and cyclist

An expanded active transportation network will provide safe, direct options for commuting to work or running errands, cycling to a local park, or accessing the river valley for recreational trips. Active transportation (walking, cycling and rolling) improves access, reduces vehicle trips and traffic congestion, and supports healthy minds and bodies.

Project Update - March 2025

Construction for this Active Transportation Network Expansion Program began in spring 2024 and will continue at different locations throughout the city until the end of 2026.

Several routes were completed in 2024. Other routes that began construction in 2024 will continue construction this spring for completion in 2025.

Design for the 2025 active transportation network expansion is nearing completion, with construction anticipated to start this spring.

Planning and design for the 2026 active transportation network expansion is underway.

Tree Removals

Tree removals are required for this project. The project team works closely with the City’s Urban Forestry Team to minimize the number of trees removed and to ensure existing trees are protected during construction. Information will be sent to residents near the impacted areas prior to any necessary removals.

Construction Bulletins

Fort Road Active Transportation Construction Bulletin - September 2024

23 Avenue Active Transportation Improvements - August 2024

102 Avenue Active Transportation Improvements - June 2024

Guided by The Bike Plan and The Bike Plan Implementation Guide, the current active transportation network will be expanded over 2023 - 2026.

Active Transportation Network Routes

In December 2022, City Council approved accelerated implementation of an active transportation network.

The Active Transportation Network Expansion project focuses on completing missing links in the network, including:

City-wide connectors within the redeveloping areas of the city (inside Anthony Henday Drive)
Near-term priorities identified through the Bike Plan Implementation Guide
Neighbourhood routes within high bike trip potential areas

The infrastructure will include:

Protected bike lanes
Shared pathways
Local street bikeways
Painted bike lanes (continuing existing lanes)
Improved wayfinding
Bicycle parking

For a map of the entire active transportation network, please visit the Discover YEG Map.

Routes Planned for 2024

Approximately 17 km of the network began construction in 2024.

Open

106 Street from Princess Elizabeth Avenue to 118 Avenue
Princess Elizabeth Avenue from 103 Street to 106 Street
102 Avenue from 136 Street to 138 Street
23 Avenue from 50 Street to 57Street
23 Avenue from 111 Street to 119 Street
50 Street from 153 Avenue to 162A Avenue

Underway

Fort Road/Manning Drive from Belvedere Way to 153 Avenue
66 Street from 137 Avenue to 153 Avenue
153 Avenue from Griesbach Road to 82 Street
97 Street from 153 Avenue to 160 Avenue
23 Avenue from 57 Street to 85 Street

Routes Planned for 2025

Planning and design for the 2025 routes is underway. A total of 25 routes are currently planned to begin construction in 2025, developing approximately 24 km of the network. The proposed routes include:

North

119 Avenue from 50 Street to Wayne Gretzky Drive
55 Street from 118 Avenue to 119 Avenue
64 Street from 118 Avenue to 119 Avenue
71 Street/121 Avenue from 119 Ave to 121 Avenue
Wayne Gretzky Drive from 116 Avenue to 119 Avenue
118 Avenue from Wayne Gretzky Drive to 78 Street
70 Street from 112 Avenue to 113 Avenue and 113 Avenue from 69 Street to 70 Street
110 Avenue/90 Street from 90 Street to 112 Avenue and 112 Avenue from 90 Street to 76 Street
114 Avenue from 81 Street to 89 Street
92 Street from 119 Avenue to 124 Avenue
96 Street from 119 Avenue to 124 Avenue
124 Avenue from 89 Street to 107 Street
127 Avenue from 97 Street to 102A Street
113 Street from 105 Avenue to Kingsway Avenue
Kingsway Avenue from 113 Street to 122 Street
111 Avenue from 106 Street to 121 Street
Victoria Park Road from 116 Street to River Valley Road
69 Avenue/Wolf Willow Rd from 178 Street to Westridge Road

South

Wagner Road from 75 Street to 86 Street
100 Street from 76 Avenue to 83 Avenue
Allendale Road from Calgary Trail to 105 Street and 63 Avenue from Allendale Road to 106 Street
31 Avenue/Youville Drive West from 66 Street to 34 Avenue
28 Avenue from 48 Street to Youville Drive West

Routes Planned for 2026

Design for the 2026 routes is anticipated to begin in early 2025. A total of 17 routes are currently planned to begin construction in 2026, developing approximately 29km of the network. The proposed routes include:

North

64 Street from 119 Avenue to Yellowhead Trail
148 Street from 95 Avenue to 104 Avenue, 104 Avenue from 142 street to 149 Street and 144 Street from Stony Plain Road to 107 Avenue
95 Avenue from 142 Street to 163 Street
163 Street from 87 Avenue to 95 Avenue and from Stony Plain Road to 107 Avenue
167 Street / 169 Street from Whitemud Drive to 87 Avenue
184 Street from 100 Avenue to Stony Plain Road
107 Avenue from Groat Road to 163 Street

Jasper Avenue Update: Due to site constraints that affect route feasibility, Jasper Avenue from 84 Street to 102A Avenue has been removed from the 2026 program. This connection is planned to be completed when funding becomes available for the Jasper Avenue renewal project.

South

50 Street from 101 Avenue to Goldbar Park Road
106 Avenue from 50 Street to 84 Street
79 Street from 76 Avenue to 106 Avenue
85 Street from 93 Avenue to 98 Avenue
93 Avenue/82 Street/94 Avenue from 85 Street to 75 Street 94b Avenue
92a Avenue/86 Street/Alley from Connors Road to 85 Street
89 Street from 76 Avenue to Connors Road
88 Avenue/93 Street/87 Avenue from 85 Street to 96 Street
84 Avenue from 79 Street to 83 Street
93 Street/84 Avenue from 89 Street to 82 Avenue

Benefits of the Network

In addition to providing a safe, comfortable and convenient option for people to walk, bike and roll, the active transportation infrastructure will:

Support the health and well-being of residents
Reduce traffic congestion
Provide a low-cost transportation option
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Support vibrant, urban places

Public Engagement

Planning and design for the active transportation network expansion draws on feedback gathered during public engagement for the City’s Bike Plan (2020) and The City Plan.

Focused public engagement opportunities are for more complex route connections, while less complex connections are being completed with targeted stakeholder or property owner engagement.

Expansion Costs

The 2023-2026 capital budget includes $100 million for the active transportation network expansion. It makes up 2% of the approximately $5 billion capital budget for transportation projects, including roads and bridges.

Prioritizing Routes

A network of routes was identified based on the Bike Plan and Bike Plan Implementation Guide and prioritized to confirm which connections will best provide a connected, city-wide network with the available funding.

Guided by the network principles in the Bike Plan, the prioritization considers connectivity, ridership potential, equity and safety.

Note: Some connections will be delivered as part of aligning capital projects.

Equity

Applying a GBA+ lens, social vulnerability information and feedback gathered from a diverse range of Edmontonians during the development of the Bike Plan was considered to prioritize routes in areas of the city where diverse populations may experience social, economic or physical barriers to mobility.

Ridership Potential and Connectivity

A data-driven analysis was conducted considering population and employment density and available active transportation routes to determine ridership potential and prioritize connections that are more likely to see cycling activity and increase connectivity.

Safety

Routes located on roadways that are part of the City’s High Injury network, where more crashes have historically occurred, were assigned a higher priority to improve the safety of people cycling.

Planning and Designing Routes

Following prioritization, routes were scheduled considering planning, design and public engagement needs. This stage of work included identifying facilities, assessing constraints and determining route complexity. Key considerations included:

Feedback gathered during public engagement for the Bike Plan and The City Plan
Opportunities to align with other city projects and programs
The rapid expansion of the network

The infrastructure for each active transportation route will be selected considering the function, design, speed and traffic volumes of the roadway, as well as constraints including utilities, trees, access and parking. When building active transportation routes, we are guided by the Complete Streets Design and Construction Standards and best practices with careful consideration given to designing for users of all ages and abilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What will the Active Transportation Network be connected to?

The Active Transportation Expansion project is intended to connect to existing routes, improving access and connectivity, and creating a more complete active transportation network. The routes include a mix of city-wide district connector routes that extend across multiple communities and neighbourhood routes that provide local connections.

Why aren’t all the routes protected?

Facilities are selected that meet design standards and best practices considering the characteristics of the roadway they are located on, including the speed and traffic volumes. Protected facilities are generally the preferred choice and are recommended for routes where higher motor vehicle speeds and volumes warrant physical separation to ensure the safety and comfort of people cycling.

There will also be local street bikeways (previously called shared streets) and painted lanes. The design guidelines for local street bikeways are being updated to include traffic calming elements and intersection improvements to improve safety and provide a comfortable user experience. Painted bike lanes are being considered for routes on local roadways with lower speeds and volumes that tie in to existing painted bike lanes.

Will the network be evaluated and monitored?

Since the project is being implemented in a rapid fashion, many connections will use adaptable infrastructure similar to the Downtown Bike Network. Evaluation and monitoring of the Active Transportation Network expansion will be ongoing and adjustments to adaptable infrastructure will be considered to ensure the network stays a safe and accessible transportation option. There will be an evaluation period of about 1 year to determine how the network is operating before any potential changes are considered.

Contact Us

Email	ActiveTransportation@edmonton.ca