97 Street closes for two weeks as Edmonton installs new Chinatown gate
Vehicle traffic on 97 Street between Jasper Avenue and Okîsikow Way halts starting Monday for steel structure installation. Pedestrians can still cross. Overnight closures will follow.
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Starting August 21, Edmonton will close 97 Street to vehicle traffic between Jasper Avenue and Okîsikow Way for about two weeks to install the steel structure of the new Chinatown gate. Pedestrians will retain access to both sides of the street.
Construction will happen daily during daytime hours. After the two-week full closure, crews will then close that same section overnight — from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. — for an additional two weeks while installing scaffolding and hoarding. The city said key components have been preassembled to speed installation and reduce the number of nighttime closures needed afterward.
The $8.7 million gate project is expected to wrap up in 2027. The price tag has drawn criticism: the Edmonton Chinese Community Association withdrew from the project in June, saying funds could have addressed more pressing Chinatown needs like safety, business recovery, and sanitation.
The original Harbin Gate, gifted to Edmonton in 1987, was removed in 2017 for LRT construction. The new structure aims to restore the landmark's presence on the streetscape.
The facts
When does 97 Street close for the Chinatown gate installation?
Vehicle traffic on 97 Street between Jasper Avenue and Okîsikow Way closes starting August 21, 2026 for approximately two weeks while the steel structure is installed.
Can pedestrians still access 97 Street during the closure?
Yes, pedestrians retain access to both sides of 97 Street throughout the vehicle traffic closure.
How much is the Chinatown gate project costing?
The gate project costs $8.7 million and is expected to be completed in 2027.
What happened to the original Chinatown gate?
The original Harbin Gate, gifted to Edmonton in 1987, was removed in 2017 for LRT construction. The new gate aims to restore the landmark's presence on the streetscape.
