This is the end for Edmonton's End of the World

A popular but perilous lookout over Edmonton's river valley is getting a facelift and a new name.

A set of stairs will cover a steep, dirt slope that leads to what is locally called the End of the World off Saskatchewan Drive near 74th Avenue.

A railing will go up along the remains of a concrete retaining wall at the top of the river bank.

The city launched the $1.5-million project at the site Monday.

• Edmonton moves ahead with plan for End of the World 

Roger Laing with the Belgravia Community League has been working with the city since 2015 on a plan to make the area safer and more accessible.

"It's going to become an asset for the entire community," Laing said. "We can safely go there and we can take these signs down that say it's a prohibited area, and open it up and enjoy what it has to offer." 

People still venture down to the designated prohibited site despite "no trespassing" signs.

The picturesque spot attracts a variety of sightseers, including people who party and leave garbage.

Laing said there have been accidents.

"We've certainly seen the fire department coming and rescuing here."

Sgt. Greg Komarniski with the city's park ranger unit said the signs went up more than three years ago when the site was deemed a risk to the public.

In that time, peace officers have given out about 200 tickets to people violating the prohibited area designation, for having open alcohol and for trespassing.

Komarniski said peace officers try to stop by the spot twice a day.

With the new project, the construction company will have 24-hour security on site.

The End of the World will also have a new name: it's now officially called Keillor Point Viewing Area.

Laing, also the chair of the Keillor Point committee, said he is comfortable with the name chosen by the City of Edmonton naming committee.

"I don't think this is the end of the world," he said of the site. "It's a place where we want to feel it's safe."

The lookout is the byproduct of the former Keillor Road, which closed in the mid-1990s.

• End of the World getting harder to visit
• City seeks family-friendly options for End of the World

Aaron Lewicki, a city director, said the project includes removing some of the exposed columns facing the river, which used to be part of Keillor Road. 

Keillor Point will also get a trail and landscaping in spring 2019.

Lewicki said the city will monitor the slope during and after construction to make sure it remains safe. 

"If geotechnical monitoring indicates that there is an issue, the site will be closed to the public and further evaluation will be conducted."

The project includes design, public engagement sessions and construction.

@natashariebe