A new Walterdale bridge is one of the projects the city hoped to have completed in time for EXPO 2017.A new Walterdale bridge is one of the projects the city hoped to have completed in time for EXPO 2017. (CBC)

Edmonton's bid at EXPO 2017 is dead, but the city is still hoping to move ahead with some of the side projects.

City officials expected EXPO to help pay for the development of the University of Alberta’s South Campus and the Rossdale power plant property, fast tracking LRT expansion, even putting water taxis on the North Saskatchewan River.

The federal government sunk the city’s bid for the world fair when it withdrew financial support.

“I don't think that the pace of LRT development needs to slow down,” said bid committee chair Tony Franceschini.

“It may take a few more years to get the south east and west lines done, but I hope that decision can be made independent of EXPO. Certainly EXPO would have helped.”

City officials say the LRT remains the top priority and administration is still working to complete the expansion by 2016.

Franceschini said he hopes the city will still find a way to keep some of the other projects afloat as well.

“Certainly the ones that are the most practical and have the greatest likelihood of success would be the west Rossdale redevelopment including the 105th street, the new Walterdale bridge — a new signature bridge.”