Edmonton's 2026 Road Construction: Major Projects Set to Reshape Streets Across the City
With 109 projects slated for this year, Edmonton drivers are bracing for a significant construction season that will reshape streets throughout the municipality. City officials have announced an ambitious infrastructure plan that includes 28 road projects, three bridge repairs, and 78 utility upgrades, all aimed at maintaining safe transportation networks after winter damage and accommodating the city's growing population.
Strategic Delays to Minimize Congestion
In an effort to ease traffic disruptions, the city has made strategic decisions to postpone certain major projects. Planned work on the Low Level Bridge and 107 Avenue has been deferred to 2027, allowing crews to focus instead on priority areas including the Wellington Bridge, 95 Avenue, and Stage 2 of Terwillegar Drive. This approach reflects a "finish what we started" philosophy that seeks to balance essential infrastructure maintenance with minimizing impacts on daily commutes.
"We're going to be able to use that as well as other approaches throughout the year to make sure construction is more coordinated and congestion is more minimized," said Mayor Andrew Knack. "Of course there will still be construction, but it's really exciting to see a significantly better plan for 2026 than we've seen in the last couple of years."
Expanding Successful Construction Methods
Following a successful pilot project that closed select intersections and allowed crews to work around the clock, Edmonton plans to expand this approach to more road construction projects this summer. The pilot demonstrated impressive results, with seven of eight intersections finishing ahead of schedule and the remaining one completing on time. This method has proven effective in accelerating project timelines while potentially reducing long-term disruption to motorists.
The city's infrastructure needs have grown substantially with the addition of approximately 100,000 new residents in recent years, who have brought with them around 80,000 additional vehicles. This population growth has increased pressure on existing transportation networks, making timely maintenance and expansion projects essential for maintaining mobility and safety standards.
Major Roadways Affected in 2026
Commuters should prepare for significant work on several key transportation corridors throughout the construction season. Among the major projects scheduled for maintenance and improvements are:
- Anthony Henday Drive
- 137 Avenue Ramps
- Terwillegar Stage 3
- Valley Line West LRT
- Capital Line South LRT
Mayor Knack acknowledged that despite efforts to coordinate projects and minimize overlapping work zones, some conflicts remain unavoidable due to decades of infrastructure underinvestment. "Sometimes work will have to happen at the same time as something close by," Knack explained. "Where we can minimize that, we will—but at the end of the day, there will sometimes be points of conflict. That said, it can be done better."
The city maintains that all construction decisions prioritize safety while attempting to reduce traffic impacts wherever possible. As Edmonton continues to grow and evolve, these infrastructure investments represent critical steps toward maintaining the high transportation standards residents expect while preparing the city for future development and population increases.
