Trudeau announces $40 million for railway underpass, more lanes on 50 Street
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced $39.8 million Tuesday to build a railway underpass and add lanes to 50 Street, addressing one of the city’s worst traffic headaches.
The project includes widening 50 Street to six lanes between 76 and 90 avenues and building the underpass at the Canadian Pacific Railway crossing north of Sherwood Park Freeway. It will also create new sidewalks and shared use paths.
“For years, the 50 Street railway crossing has been part of an essential trade corridor,” Trudeau said in Edmonton. “We’ve all seen the traffic backed up as the trains seemingly go on for hours … There’s a lot of lost time.”
The province previously promised $28.3 million, with the city paying the balance on the $87.5-million project, which is planned for completion in 2023. City funding will be outlined in the next four-year capital budget slated for October, said Coun. Ben Henderson.
The crossing was the city’s top priority for grade separation, he told a small crowd at Edmonton City Hall. “With ongoing development along this area … traffic volumes and congestion are going to continue to increase.”
Trudeau was also joined by federal Infrastructure Minister Amarjeet Sohi and Transport Minister Marc Garneau.
Mayor Don Iveson posted a video on Twitter from Singapore, using some apparently colourful language to express his approval of the plan.
“Now we won’t have to wait for that (expletive) train anymore,” he said with a horn bleeping out the word.
Trudeau announces $40 million for railway underpass on 50 Street | Edmonton Journal
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced $39.8 million Tuesday to build a railway underpass and add lanes to 50 Street, addressing one of the city’s worst traffic headaches.
The project includes widening 50 Street to six lanes between 76 and 90 avenues and building the underpass at the Canadian Pacific Railway crossing north of Sherwood Park Freeway. It will also create new sidewalks and shared use paths.
“For years, the 50 Street railway crossing has been part of an essential trade corridor,” Trudeau said in Edmonton. “We’ve all seen the traffic backed up as the trains seemingly go on for hours … There’s a lot of lost time.”
The province previously promised $28.3 million, with the city paying the balance on the $87.5-million project, which is planned for completion in 2023. City funding will be outlined in the next four-year capital budget slated for October, said Coun. Ben Henderson.
The crossing was the city’s top priority for grade separation, he told a small crowd at Edmonton City Hall. “With ongoing development along this area … traffic volumes and congestion are going to continue to increase.”
Trudeau was also joined by federal Infrastructure Minister Amarjeet Sohi and Transport Minister Marc Garneau.
Mayor Don Iveson posted a video on Twitter from Singapore, using some apparently colourful language to express his approval of the plan.
“Now we won’t have to wait for that (expletive) train anymore,” he said with a horn bleeping out the word.
Trudeau announces $40 million for railway underpass on 50 Street | Edmonton Journal
