Edmonton's construction season is over, and 44 projects are finished with more than 60 due by year-end

Edmonton's construction season is over, and the city says 44 projects are finished, with more than 60 targeted by year-end. The Horseshoe Creek crossing at 137 Avenue, washed out earlier this summer, is expected to reopen to traffic later this month.

Mayor Andrew Knack, Ward Anirniq Coun. Erin Rutherford and deputy city manager of Infrastructure Sara Nichols announced the results at the Yellowhead Freeway. The city credits its accelerated roadwork approach, which closes a road once to finish all the work instead of closing it piecemeal over several years, with reducing closure times this season. More projects under the same logic are planned for next year.

A new, larger culvert is being installed at Horseshoe Creek. The High Level bridge work has moved to next year after a slope section on one side gave way, and that project includes landscaping and renewal of a bridge that has reached the end of its lifespan. Heavy summer rainfall strained systems across Edmonton.

The widening of the Yellowhead Freeway includes drainage upgrades meant to limit flooding in future downpours. The freeway's daily traffic is expected to double within 20 years.

Rutherford called the season "one for the books," saying renewal work is what gets people moving over the long term. Knack thanked city workers and contractors who "braved the heat, braved traffic and historic rain," and asked Edmontonians for their patience. Nichols acknowledged that "construction can be disruptive," but said the work is vital to keeping the city safe, accessible and connected.

121 Street is set to open in the coming weeks, and work on 95 Avenue wrapped up earlier this month. The city has more than 200 active projects on the books, nearly 100 of them under construction, about half of those renewal work.