Downtown commuters from Edmonton's southside can expect major delays over the next few months as the city rehabiltates Scona Road.

“The roadways, sidewalks and gutters on both Scona Road and 99 Street are worn out to the point where replacement is now imperative,” says Paul Szczepanski, Director of Arterial Roadways.

“Both are critical corridors within Edmonton’s transportation infrastructure, and the work must be done in order to ensure continued safe and efficient operation.”

From April 3 to April 30, 2011, Scona Road will be reduced to one lane in each direction to relocate utilities and start construction of one of the retaining walls at the south end of Scona Road.

From May until November 2011, Scona Road will be closed entirely, while 99th Street (from 81st Avenue to Saskatchewan Drive) will be subject to periodic lane reductions.

Access will be maintained to homes in the area, the Old Timer’s Cabin and businesses on 99th Street, said Szczepanski.

Work will include:

  • Reducing the sharpness of the curve of Scona Road, immediately south of the Low Level Bridge
  • Construction of an additional southbound lane from the James McDonald Bridge off-ramp to Saskatchewan Drive
  • Reconstruction and rehabilitation of pavement and curb/gutter on Scona Road and 99th Street from the Low Level Bridge to 81st Avenue
  • Two new retaining walls
  • Road alignment improvements along Scona Road
  • Construction of a noise wall on the east side of Scona Road from 94th Avenue halfway up to 93rd Avenue
  • Construction of new sidewalks, curbs/gutters and shared use paths

Bus routes and stops will also change to accomodate the road closures.