Your turn: Low Level Bridge replacement

This week's roundup of calls for public engagement includes a survey about the planned replacement of the Low Level Bridge, as well as an "Ask Me Anything" session from Edmonton's mayor and a public hearing on amendments to Fort Saskatchewan's land use bylaw.

Administration is asking Edmontonians what should be prioritized as it designs the new Low Level Bridge. The survey is open until Nov. 30. The city announced in May that the structure, which is actually two separate bridges, was nearing the end of its fitness to carry vehicle traffic.

The city plans to build a new bridge between the existing Low Level Bridges and the James MacDonald Bridge. It will carry both northbound and southbound vehicle traffic and provide space for active transportation. The design will be functional rather than a "signature" piece like the Walterdale Bridge, administration said in the summer, aiming to provide a reliable, durable, and economic river crossing.

The survey asks the three most important things the city should consider when designing the new bridge. Options include reliable movement of vehicles, reliable movement of transit, safe facilities for active transportation, access to nearby neighbourhoods, river valley protection, and fitting with the historic Low Level Bridge.

The city said it plans to begin construction on the new bridge in 2029. When the bridge is finished in 2031, the southbound bridge will be demolished and the historic northbound bridge, which opened in 1900 and was the first bridge to cross the river in Edmonton, could be repurposed into a bridge for people walking, rolling, and cycling.

Administration's proposed budget, which was released on Nov. 2, includes a composite capital profile that, over multiple decades, would fund the replacement of the Low Level Bridge and High Level Bridge. The city has set aside $21 million for the planning and design of the Low Level Bridge replacement out of the total profile of $156 million.

Here are some other opportunities to provide input in the Edmonton metro region:

• Nov. 9 and 23: Leduc residents can speak to council about the city's proposed 2027 budget.
• Nov. 10: Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack is holding an Ask Me Anything session about the four-year municipal budget on Reddit from 7pm to 8pm.
• Nov. 10: Fort Saskatchewan city council will hold a public hearing on changes to its land use bylaw at 2pm. The amendments include changes to height, massing, setbacks, and the types of housing allowed in different districts.
• Until Nov. 15: The City of Edmonton is gathering feedback on managing parking through the Residential Parking Program.
• Until Nov. 19: Strathcona County is collecting feedback on how its current public engagement efforts are meeting community needs.
• Nov. 19: Parkland County is holding a County Chat at Holborn Community Hall from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.
• Until Nov. 20: Parkland County is surveying residents on its climate adaptation plan.
• Nov. 23: Parkland County is holding a County Chat at Blueberry Community Hall from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.
• Nov. 24, Nov. 26, Nov. 30, and Dec. 15: St. Albert residents can speak to council about the city's proposed 2027 budget and financial plan.
• Ongoing: The City of Spruce Grove is seeking feedback on an update to its parks and open space plan through an online survey.
• Ongoing: The City of Leduc is collecting feedback on signature events.
• Ongoing: Leduc County is in the beginning phases of planning the land use for part of the East Vistas area structure plan. An online survey seeks feedback on concerns such as traffic, land uses, infrastructure, and the environment.
• Ongoing: The Coalition of Alberta Public Libraries is inviting Albertans to share their library stories as part of an effort to "affirm the important role libraries play in our communities and the value of keeping them welcoming, accessible spaces for everyone."
• Ongoing: Thou Art Here Theatre in Edmonton has put out a call for stories about using public transit to inform its Untitled Bus Play.
• Ongoing: Spruce Grove is recruiting members for its Council Remuneration Review Advisory Committee. The committee will review pay for the mayor and councillors over about eight weeks in late winter and early spring 2027.

"Your turn" is Taproot's weekly collection of public engagement opportunities in the Edmonton region. Watch this space every week for opportunities to make your views known. If you know of a request for public input, send it to hello@taprootedmonton.ca.

Correction: This file has been updated to remove a duplicate listing for one of Parkland County's County Chats.