Now that the weather is warmer in Edmonton, more people are getting outdoors.
But when it comes to accessing certain walkways and pathways, people get cut off.
Marjorie Hooker often walks down 109th Street to get to 61st Avenue in South Edmonton and she is one of them.
“We have no access to it other than risking our own health by walking down that path,” Hooker said.
A section of partial sidewalk along 109 St. is one of many sidewalks in Edmonton that has just been completed, cutting off pedestrian access.
“In some places there are no sidewalks. It’s what we call missing links, where there are key points that aren’t connected by sidewalks or shared-use paths or a bike lane and it makes it harder for people to get where they need to go,” Paths for People Vice President Daniel said. Morin.
The city modified its capital budget to include funds to complete missing sidewalks and roads. The goal is to improve accessibility and safety.
Read more:
Icy sidewalks pose a problem for Edmontonians with mobility issues
“With the pandemic and people not going on vacation to Mexico or somewhere else, they stay home and go explore and in the process identify gaps and say we need to improve. So as advice, we said we heard you, we’re putting down $5 million for 100 kilometers of repairs. Let’s get started,” said Ward Papastew Councilman Michael Janz.
Councilman Janz said the nearly $5 million over two years will allow more Edmontonians to move around the city. This is a direction that the nonprofit Paths for People is excited about.
“When they fix these missing links, it will have a huge impact on the usability of our active transportation network and enable more convenient options for more people,” Morin said.
The city has already identified several problem areas including:
- Fort Road from approximately 127 Avenue to 153 Avenue.
- 127 Street from the Yellowhead Trail to 137 Avenue.
- 102nd Avenue from 136th Street to 139th Street.
- 106 Street from Princess Elizabeth Avenue to 118 Avenue.
- 105th Avenue from 101st Street to 97th Street.
It also includes area networks for the Bonnie Doon, Strathearn, Holyrood, Idylwyld area and for the neighborhoods in and around the Northlands/Exhibit land site.
Councilman Janz said that in addition to these locations, the city is still receiving public input.
“If there’s a gap in your community, reach out to your councilmember to make sure you’re in line,” Janz said.
As for Marjorie Hooker, she hopes the space she often walks through will soon be filled.
“We need a sidewalk or even clear it so we can walk on it,” Hooker said.
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Reference-globalnews.ca