FAQs

This summer, Victoria Promenade was transformed using adaptable infrastructure to make this iconic space and important active transportation corridor safer and more welcoming and accessible for all ages, modes and abilities. 

The Victoria Promenade is an important active transportation corridor and home to many residents in the Oliver neighbourhood. Prior to the installation of this pilot project, the City of Edmonton’s Bike Plan identified Victoria Promenade as a substandard route, which, due to high vehicle traffic and speeds did not accommodate active transportation for everybody. 

The adaptable installation was installed starting on July 9, 2022 to help everyone safely share the space. The installation includes traffic calming to slow vehicle speeds, two protected one-way bike lanes for people scooting and biking, freeing up the sidewalk for people walking, using mobility devices and strollers, and clearly defining space for motor vehicles. 

The goal of the 2022/2023 Victoria Promenade Project is to create a space for people of all ages and abilities to walk, bike and roll.

The transformed space is intended to help everyone access the area safely and more comfortably:

• Separate space for people to scoot and bike in the bike lanes,

• Sidewalk space for people walking and using mobility aids or strollers, and 

• Clearly defined space for motor vehicles.

• The installation includes two protected one-way bike lanes as well as traffic calming on the northside of 100 Avenue between 116 Street and 117 Street to slow drivers.

• The eastbound bike lane and westbound bike lanes were separated from vehicles with flex posts and parking curbs—the same materials used in the Downtown Bike Network. 

• Traffic calming was also added on the northside of 100 Avenue between 116 and 117 Street to encourage slower speeds. 

• Pavement markings, parking curb and flex posts were used to narrow the roadway and create a sharper entry angle at the entrance to the Promenade.

Public engagement with residents and street users, recommendations from City policy, urban design research and technical requirements have been combined to create this plan. 

It’s designed to try out new solutions using temporary materials and will allow Edmontonians to provide feedback on a design that is data-driven, research-based and intended to support building a more livable city.

Adjustments will be made based on the outcome of the ongoing evaluation of this pilot project, and the installation will remain without any significant changes until at least Spring 2023. This will allow us to continue to understand Edmontonians' experiences with the infrastructure through all seasons to inform future permanent infrastructure.

Project evaluation, which includes public engagement, is now underway. 

Insights shared through public engagement will be used alongside data collected around vehicle speeds, vehicle, cyclist, and pedestrian counts to inform future adjustments to the installation. 

Speed and traffic volume data as well as cyclist and pedestrian counts collected prior to, and during  the installation will allow the City to assess for any changes. 

The public is encouraged to provide ongoing feedback through Engaged Edmonton using the Feedback Form which launched on June 28. To date, the City has received 184 completed forms. Insights shared will be incorporated into the project evaluation. 

This form will close just prior to the launch of additional engagement opportunities, including an online survey, designed to capture additional feedback from the public. Thank you to everyone who has provided feedback on the Victoria Promenade Project over the summer.  

As engagement continues you may: 

• Complete the online survey

• Drop in to an engagement session

• Attend an online engagement session

The dates for each opportunity will be updated as they are confirmed. Sign up for project updates at engaged.edmonton.ca/Victoria-Promenade to stay informed.

The City continues to learn and adjust to help create space for everyone using and accessing the promenade. 

Initial confusion around how to use the space: Adjustments have been made to improve signage.

Road Condition: Residents have reported concerns about the surface condition of the road and as a result, maintenance to repair cracks and potholes in asphalt) were completed on September 12. .

Turning vehicles: Curb design adjustments were made to ensure turning vehicles had as much space as possible to complete their maneuvers.

Parking: The removal of on-street parking has affected residents, visitors, as well as temporary stopping by delivery vehicles, and ride-for-hire services.

•  Since the installation, the team had made the following changes to help with access to parking:

  • An additional loading zone on Jasper Avenue, North of the Annamoe building to help support building access for residents, and

  • Converted parking on Jasper Avenue, immediately East of 121 Street from restricted peak hour parking into unrestricted parking to support residents in the area.

• Prior to the installation, the team:

  • Added six unrestricted parking spots on the west side of 117 Street

  • Added a new loading zone on Jasper Ave north of the Annamoe Building

  • Added a new loading zone on the west side of 118 Street to assist with deliveries, moving, and other short term uses, 

  • Maintained most of the existing loading area in front of the Fairmont building, and

  • Created a map that has been shared online to provide an overview of available on street parking within a five minute walk of the Victoria Promenade.

Materials: Some residents did not find the installation to be aesthetically pleasing. The advantage of adaptable materials is that it can be used to learn and adjust designs prior to permanent infrastructure.  In the future, there may be a possibility some more aesthetically pleasing materials such as planters could be added to the bike lanes. 

Emergency Access: Prior to implementation, we worked with various stakeholders, including Fire Rescue Services, to ensure the design is in accordance with the City’s Complete Streets Design and Construction Standards. All emergency access standards are met.

Winter maintenance: The City’s Snow and Ice Control team has confirmed that the vehicle lane will be cleared to at least the same standard as it is currently. The protected bike lanes will be cleared to the same standard as other active pathways throughout the city.

The Oliver neighbourhood has been identified as needing neighbourhood-wide renewal with a possible construction start in 2026- 2028. This may be subject to change based on available budgets, construction costs and coordination with underground utilities. Planning and design will happen in advance of that time frame. We typically allow for 2.5 to 3 years for the planning and consultation with the residents.

Neighbourhood Renewal will include the installation of permanent bike infrastructure as outlined in the Bike Plan implementation guidelines. 

This pilot is an opportunity for Edmontonians to experience and provide feedback on a design that is research-based and intended to support building a more livable city. The permanent facility will be informed by input received from this pilot project and additional engagement for the overall renewal.  

Neighbourhood Renewal will include the installation of permanent bike infrastructure as outlined in the Bike Plan implementation guidelines. The future permanent facility will be informed by feedback received from this pilot project and additional engagement as part of the Neighbourhood Renewal Program.  

• The Neighbourhood Renewal Program is a cost effective, long-term strategic approach to renew existing neighbourhoods. 

• The Oliver neighbourhood has been identified as needing neighbourhood-wide renewal with a possible construction start in 2026- 2028. This may be subject to change based on available budgets, construction costs and coordination with underground utilities. Planning and design will happen in advance of that time frame. We typically allow for 2.5 to 3 years for the planning and consultation with the residents.

• The Oliver Neighbourhood Renewal project will include all of the local and collector roads including Victoria Promenade (100 Ave) from 117 to 121 Street. Neighbourhood Renewal is where roads are repaved, curbs and sidewalks are added, upgrades are completed for accessibility, and street lights are replaced. It is also time to explore active mode connections like bike lanes and shared pathways and other landscaping opportunities such as low impact development and open space improvements. 

100 Avenue (Victoria Promenade) between 121 Street and 116 Street.

• In 2020 and 2021, the City of Edmonton installed a mobility lane on Victoria Promenade as part of a city-wide project to help everyone stay safe and comply with Alberta Health Services physical distancing guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

• Based on the feedback received in 2020 and 2021, narrowing the road helped reduce speeds and supported street safety and livability; however, there was frustration with the look and movability of the cones, as well as confusion about directionality and how to use the mobility lane while cycling.

• In March and April, the City of Edmonton gathered feedback on four proposed options for the 2022 installation. The goal of the engagement process was to understand the lived experience of the people who travel and live along Victoria Promenade and which of the four proposed options they prefer for the next phase of the project.

  • The options presented through this engagement did not include a two-way bike lane on the south side of the street. While this was considered to maintain existing parking, it was not advanced due to both physical space constraints and safety. A two-way bike facility can not be safely connected to the surrounding mobility network. 

• A total of 647 respondents completed the online survey, and 17 people attended the two online engagement sessions. Oliver residents accounted for 55% of survey responses. A total of 112 respondents told us they live along Victoria Promenade between 116 Street and 121 Street. 

• The Victoria Promenade project began as a Vision Zero Street Lab with the community project team leading a Street Lab in Oliver along 103 Avenue. There was a desire to expand the work to the Promenade; however, the size and scope of the public engagement requirements and future installation was beyond the capacity of the community project team. Given the significant interest in this project evidenced through the public engagement participation, the City continued the project to make this iconic Edmonton place and important active transportation corridor safer, and more welcoming and accessible for all ages and abilities.

• After reviewing what we heard from public engagement, recommendations from City policy, and technical requirements, the City installed two one-way protected bike lanes.

  • Two One-Way Protected Bike Lanes: This option proposed creating a protected eastbound lane on the south side of the road and a protected westbound bike lane on the north side of the road. For this option, the existing 20 on-street parking stalls would be removed, with the exception of the loading bay in front of the Fairmont building. 

• The current adaptable installation was installed in July, 2022.

Yes, 20 on-street parking stalls were repurposed to enable enough space to implement the design that creates a safer space for pedestrians, drivers and cyclists alike. 

286 free on-street parking stalls and 102 paid on-street parking stalls remain within a five-minute walk radius of Victoria Promenade. The removal of the 20 parking stalls is a 6.5% reduction of free on-street parking within the 5-minute walk radius around Victoria Promenade. 

The City heard that the removal of on-street parking will affect residents, visitors, as well as temporary stopping made by delivery vehicles, and ride-for-hire services (e.g. taxis, ride-sharing). The City understands that this is a change from what currently exists on the street. To support the loss of these parking stalls we are doing the following: 

• Added 6 unrestricted parking spaces on the west side of 117 Street in front of Uptown Estates

• Creating a new loading zone on the west side of 118 Street to assist with deliveries, moving, and other short term uses, and 

• Maintaining most of the existing loading area in front of the Fairmont building.

In addition, the vast majority of buildings have an alley as well as on-site parking. 

The City has heard that the removal of on-street parking has affected residents, visitors, as well as temporary stopping made by delivery vehicles, and ride-for-hire services (e.g. taxis, ride-sharing), particularly for the Annamoe Mansion. The City understands this is a change from what currently exists on the street. In reviewing the location, it is not possible to maintain the vehicle travel lane, bike lanes and parking with only adaptable measures, as there is not enough roadway width. 

An additional review was conducted to evaluate the potential to add parking spots near this building on 119 Street, which is the closest side street; however, due to the need to accommodate fire truck and waste truck movements, space is not available to add additional parking. There are nine existing two-hour parking stalls on 119 Street just north of Victoria Promenade. In addition, there are several loading stalls nearby in front of the Fairmont building.  

The plan meets the City’s Design and Construction Standards (CDSCS) which was developed in conjunction with emergency services. Additionally, this specific plan has been reviewed by Fire Rescue Services, and other City service providers who utilize large vehicles, to ensure that it meets their needs and allows them to provide service to the area.

The width of the bike and vehicle lanes allow for snow storage and removal, and the plan was established in consultation with the City's Snow and Ice team. The vehicle lane will be cleared to the same standard as it is currently—to bare pavement within 48 hours after a snowfall. 

The protected bike lanes will be cleared to bare pavement within 24 hours after snowfall.

For more information on the City’s Snow and Ice Policy: https://www.edmonton.ca/transportation/on_your_streets/neighbourhood-roads-winter

Currently, the pedestrian and cyclist crossing is located near a high speed exit from the 100 Avenue and 116 Street intersection. As part of the project, traffic calming measures were added at the entrance to promote slower speeds. This includes: 

• A sharper angle at the entrance from 100 Avenue near 116 Street to signal to drivers that they are entering a residential roadway with high pedestrian and cyclist usage. 

• Narrowing the roadway, including at the crossing location at 117 Street. 

• The northbound protected bike lane will continue to Jasper Avenue and be separated from vehicles with parking curbs and flexposts. For southbound cyclists, the existing concrete island separating cyclists and cars will be maintained. 

• To accommodate the new protected bike lane, the right turn only lane will be removed and the through-left lane will be converted to a through-right lane. 

• With the direction of cyclists travelling one-way in each direction, the protected bike lanes will directly tie-in to the existing 121 Street painted bike lanes. 

100 Avenue and 121 Street are both out of the scope of the project. Both routes are identified as near-term priorities in the Bike Plan, and along with the Victoria Promenade, will be considered as part of the planning for upgrades and additions to the active transportation network in this area. 

The lessons learned from this project will be applied to help inform future bike infrastructure as outlined in the Urban Planning and Economy Report on Bike Network Redeveloping Area Completion Options which looks at expediting the implementation of the Bike Plan starting in the 2023-2026 Budget cycle. The timing for permanent changes to the active transportation network in the area will depend on funding allocated to active transportation improvements and potential opportunities for alignment with other projects in the area, such as Neighbourhood Renewal.