Valley Line West construction moving bike lanes temporarily

Construction continues on the Valley Line West LRT, which will eventually run a 14-kilometre stretch from downtown Edmonton to Lewis Estates in the west end. (Cam Wiebe/CTV News Edmonton)

Construction for the Valley Line West LRT is temporarily closing bike lanes downtown on 102 Avenue but replacing them with new ones the next road over.

Around Oct. 14, workers will begin building protected bike lanes on 103 Avenue from 103 Street to Railtown Park Trail (110 Street). These bike lanes are expected to stay in place until the end of 2027, a news release from the city said.

• Get the latest Edmonton updates right to your inbox

During that time, parking on 103 Avenue will be limited and will see changes to EPark Zones.

Once that project, which the city estimates will take around three weeks, is finished, bike lanes on 102 Avenue will close.

New, permanent bike lanes are expected to be completed in that area by 2028 in conjunction with the Valley Line West project.

Marigold Infrastructure Partners (MIP), the company contracted for the LRT project, recently finished its concrete segments in an “impressive push” for the work projected to run until 2028.

“The city and MIP appreciate the patience of active transportation users, including cyclists, who will have to adapt their routines and shift their route,” the news release said.

Cyclists can access 103 Avenue bike lanes using existing north-south bike infrastructure around 110 Street, 106 Street or 103 Street.

The city said the bike lanes will be integrated into a “larger downtown cycle network, including bike signals, signs and pavement markings.”

Meanwhile, the bike lanes set to be built on 102 Avenue will see an “extensive testing and commissioning phase” before the LRT line opens to make sure all is safe.