The Pulse
Aug. 24, 2026

This week, councillors are set to discuss a pause on future bike lanes that take away parking or travel lanes, amendments to the city's climate resilience policy, and early designs for the Low Level Bridge replacement.

There is a utility committee meeting on Aug. 24, a public hearing on Aug. 25, and an infrastructure committee meeting on Aug. 26.

Here are some key items on the agenda this week:

• Administration has proposed pausing planned active transportation infrastructure that takes away parking spaces or vehicle travel lanes because of expected provincial legislation, as well as community pushback. A report due at infrastructure committee said that because the previous council chose the "rapid" approach to building bike lanes and other active transportation infrastructure, public engagement was limited and adaptable infrastructure was often used. The report said this has garnered significant negative feedback and pointed specifically to the recent decision to redesign infrastructure on 50 Street. The new design — retaining parking and vehicle travel lanes — costs about double the initial construction costs. Alberta Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen spoke to residents in Capilano about that project in July. Dreeshen applauded a recent Ontario court decision that overturned an earlier ruling that stopped the provincial government from replacing protected bike lanes with car lanes in Toronto. "The appeal court made clear that governments have the authority to make and change transportation policy and that there is no constitutional right to a bike lane," Dreeshen wrote. Though the provincial legislation limiting active transportation infrastructure doesn't yet exist, the city report said making a proactive decision could help mitigate legal implications, which will be discussed in camera. The change in direction requires council approval; infrastructure committee is expected to give a recommendation to council, which will make the final decision at a future meeting. Additionally, administration is in the process of updating the Active Transportation Implementation Guide, which will be presented to council before the four-year budget deliberations. Administration has already cancelled planned infrastructure in Grovenor. That project didn't involve separated bike lanes, but rather traffic calming features and reduced parking.
• Administration has prepared amendments to the climate resilience policy that incorporate the optimal point for capital investment that yields the best return for taxpayers when considering economic, environmental, and social benefits. The proposed change introduces a sustainable return on investment (S-ROI) analysis, meaning that projects would incorporate climate-resilient requirements to a point where a positive S-ROI is demonstrated, the report said. While this responds to financial constraints, it could also result in reduced environmental outcomes, meaning alternative solutions may be required to meet the city's emissions targets, administration said. The policy update also includes a new community adaptation target, which would combine data across multiple climate hazards to provide a measurable, citywide view of risk related to climate change. This work involves tracking the climate risk and adaptation of individual neighbourhoods. Fifty-seven neighbourhoods have a high or very high climate risk, and administration aims to reduce that number to zero by 2050. Infrastructure committee will review the changes before council makes the final decision at a future meeting.
• Administration has released its preliminary plans for replacing the Low Level Bridge. A report set to be presented at infrastructure committee said that the city will likely build a functional roadway bridge rather than a "signature" structure. The report added that the initial traffic analysis suggested the replacement may need more than four lanes, but to align with city goals of reducing the number of people who use cars to meet their daily needs, a four-lane bridge will be considered. The alignment is expected to be to the west of the existing bridge. Administration had initially said the Low Level Bridge replacement project could involve simplifying the road network surrounding the bridge, as well as daylighting Mill Creek. However, this report says the replacement can be done without reconfiguring the road system. Public engagement will begin in the fall; the report notes that there are "no immediate risks when moving forward with only the Low Level Bridge replacement work at this time." Starting in 2027, the northbound bridge is expected to close for a construction season for repairs, and administration will create the preliminary design for the replacement bridge. Construction is expected to take place from 2029 to 2031. The following year, the southbound bridge is expected to be decommissioned and the northbound one converted to active transportation.

• The Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival wrapped up its 45th edition with a record 825,000 visitors to its festival sites. This year's 209 indoor productions sold more than 142,000 tickets, including 550 sold-out shows, and returned $1.53 million to artists, up from $1.47 million last year. Holdover shows will be held at Fringe Theatre, Varscona Theatre, Rapid Fire Theatre, and Grindstone Theatre this week.
• The Edmonton Pride Festival parade attracted thousands to downtown Edmonton on Aug. 22, marking the event's second year since returning from a hiatus that began with the 2018 event's cancellation over police involvement. Some groups boycotted this year's parade over its increased police presence, which organizers said was necessary to ensure safety. Police did not march but staffed roadblocks along the route. Some boycotting groups held alternate events, including an art showcase at Dawson Park.
• Alberta's technology minister, Nate Glubish, faced angry questions and profanity at a town hall on AI data centres, held in Redwater on Aug. 20. About 150 attendees raised concerns about strain on water, land, and electricity from Meta's proposed $13-billion data centre project in Sturgeon County, fed by a $4.6-billion natural gas plant. Glubish defended the project's economic benefits, citing the expected creation of 300 jobs. Premier Danielle Smith is to join him at a virtual town hall on Aug. 27.
• A leaked internal memo shows the Alberta government will not offer a second $100 energy rebate this fall because the Canada Revenue Agency could classify repeat payments as taxable income, Postmedia reported. The province is instead weighing reviving fuel tax relief if oil prices stay elevated, a step that NDP finance critic Court Ellingson said is overdue given that only 1.2 million of 3.4 million eligible Albertans have signed up for the current rebate. "Instead of providing Albertans immediate affordability relief, the premier created red tape for families and spent a ton of money administering a clunky government program," he said.
• More than 1,720 babies were born between May and July at the Lois Hole Hospital for Women inside the Royal Alexandra Hospital. That's nearly 20 a day, including 61 sets of twins and four sets of triplets. Neonatologist Sowjanya Sivakoti told Global News that the unit has faced sustained high activity and believes increased use of fertility drugs may be behind the rise in multiples.
• An Edmonton man is trying to track down descendants of Henrietta Macdougall after his son found part of her cracked 1932 headstone outside his Strathearn home this summer. Macdougall, an Anglican reverend's wife and Edmonton pioneer, is buried with her family at Edmonton Cemetery, the city's oldest, about five kilometres from where the headstone piece was found.
• Japan's Miyu Yamashita won the CPKC Women's Open at Edmonton's Royal Mayfair Golf Club, closing with a 4-under 66 to finish 23 under for her fourth LPGA Tour title. Vancouver's Anna Huang was the top Canadian, tying for fourth at 12-under.

Here are some events happening today in the Edmonton area.

• The Orchards Farmers' Market starting at 3:30pm at 4059 Orchards Drive SW
• Alberta Craft Council AGM 2025-26 starting at 6pm at Alberta Craft Council
• Sales 101 with Trystan Keller starting at 6pm online
• Digging in the Dirt starting at 6:30pm at Fort Cinema
• Understanding What Turns Dirt to Soil starting at 7pm online

And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:

• Sept. 9: Seed Sovereignty - Seed Libraries with Chelsea Boos at McCauley Community Orchard
• Sept. 15: Edmonton Then and Now: The Leaders Who Shaped the City at JW Marriott (Edmonton ICE District)
• Sept. 23-25: Lab2Market Summit at University of Alberta

Visit the Taproot Edmonton Calendar for many more events in the Edmonton region.

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