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A week after residents raised concerns about the improved Ada Boulevard Bridge, the City of Edmonton is installing a guardrail to increase safety on the south side of the bridge.
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Kristi Bland, the city’s communications advisor, said that since the bridge reopened they have heard concerns from users about the height of the concrete barrier in the vehicle lane on the south side of the bridge.
Residents were concerned that the waist-high barrier was unsafe for bicyclists and pedestrians using that side of the bridge.
“We want to assure residents that the safety of all bridge users is the priority and we take these concerns seriously,” Bland told Postmedia in an email. “After listening to community concerns and monitoring public actions after the bridge was opened, the city will install a guardrail on top of the south side concrete barrier.”
Bland said a temporary railing will be installed starting next week, while the city designs and builds a new permanent railing that is expected to be installed in the coming months. Bland added that the installation of the permanent railing will take around 10 days.
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Kayla Atkey, a Highlands resident and Paths for People board member, expressed her concern regarding the bridge’s concrete barrier and said she is grateful that the city is listening to residents and responding.
“I think it will definitely bring more peace of mind and a lot of what we heard was also that feeling of security by not being there, so this will definitely make it a friendlier place for my family and I to access when we access the river valley. and neighboring parks for sure, ”Atkey said.
He added that the new barrier will not only make residents feel safer, but could also prevent accidents.
Dustin Meyer, who lives about four miles from the bridge that overlooks Wayne Gretzky Drive, said he felt uncomfortable while riding his bike along the south side barrier Tuesday.
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“Yesterday it was very windy, which is where, under normal circumstances, I would ride through the middle of the bridge and it’s not a big problem, but with the wind you get into your mind and think what would happen if a gust pushed me,” Meyer said.
Meyer said the current barrier doesn’t even reach hip height and said it would act as a “speed bump” rather than prevent it from falling.
However, he said he is happy that the city has responded to the comments and is planning to install a new barrier.
While the city encourages bicyclists and pedestrians to use the bridge’s new shared-use path, Meyers and Atkey said people are likely still using the south side.
Reference-edmontonjournal.com