High Level Bridge's east sidewalk closed indefinitely after rain erodes riverbank
Heavy June rainfall saturated ground near southeast slope; additional 30-60mm expected this weekend as Edmonton nears its wettest June on record.
The day's top stories, food & events — every morning at 7. Unsubscribe anytime.
The City of Edmonton closed the High Level Bridge's east sidewalk starting Thursday around 6 p.m. following inspections that revealed slope instability and failure near the southeast side, above Kinsmen Park.
Recent heavy rainfall caused a section of the slope next to the wooden guardrail to experience structural failure, making it unsafe for pedestrians and cyclists. The west sidewalk remains open for foot and active-mode traffic.
As a precaution, a portion of the far-left turning lane on the 109 Street hill directly after the bridge is also closed. Left turns to Saskatchewan Drive and Walterdale Hill will still be maintained, but drivers should plan for potential delays.
The closure comes as additional rain is forecast to begin Friday evening through Sunday. While 30-60 mm of rain alone wouldn't normally be concerning, June's conditions are unprecedented. Edmonton has already recorded 203 mm of rain so far this month — well above the 70 mm monthly average. The city is tracking toward its second-wettest June on record; the wettest was 1914 with 216.5 mm.
The city said it will continue monitoring conditions and provide updates as more information becomes available.