Construction on the St. Albert Trail to 97 Street project is currently underway.
Project Update - Spring 2026
Work to convert Yellowhead Trail from an expressway to a free-flowing freeway is progressing, with the St. Albert Trail to 97 Street segment now nearly halfway complete and several major construction activities underway.
Construction Progress Update
- Tunnelling for the new 2 km drainage storm trunk is nearly complete.
- Concrete substructures for the 127 Street and 118 Street interchanges are complete.
- The precast concrete girders for the interchanges have been placed.
- Installation of the mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) wall supporting the new 118 Street interchange is nearly complete, with more than 90 per cent of panels installed.
- Significant progress on the construction and installation of the drainage infrastructure was made in 2025. To date, the installation of approximately 9,000m of storm and sanitary sewer infrastructure has been installed.
- Replacement of the Sherbrooke neighbourhood noise wall is underway, with the majority of the existing wall between St. Albert Trail and 127 Street removed. Installation of pile foundations for the new wall is expected to begin in early February 2026.
As it is currently, Yellowhead Trail between St. Albert Trail and 97 Street will continue to operate with two lanes in each direction at a speed limit of 50 km/hr. Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead, allow extra travel time and consider alternate routes.
Upcoming in 2026
- Installation of concrete formwork will take place throughout winter in preparation for placing the concrete bridge decks for the 127 Street and 118 Street interchanges in the spring and summer.
- Forming and placement of the concrete retaining walls will continue through the winter and into spring and summer.
- Installation of new drainage infrastructure will continue through the winter and into spring and summer.
- Installation of the new noise attenuation wall panels will begin in the spring and continue until late fall.
- Earthworks and roadwork will begin in the spring and continue until late fall.
Yellowhead Trail and 124 Street Intersection Removal
Transportation network improvements for Yellowhead Trail from St. Albert Trail to 97 Street include removal of the Yellowhead Trail and 124 Street signalized intersection and direct access to 124 Street from Yellowhead Trail. Alternative access to the properties (Yellowhead Youth Centre, K-9 facility and City of Edmonton Impound Lot) along 124 Street will be provided between 123 Avenue and Yellowhead Trail.
The current 124 Street road closure north of 123 Avenue was installed to eliminate traffic short-cutting through the Prince Charles neighbourhood to access Yellowhead Trail. The project expects to achieve the same outcome when the 124 Street street intersection at Yellowhead Trail is removed as part of this project.
The planned road configuration provides access to the existing facilities and prevents the opportunity for short-cutting through the Prince Charles neighbourhood.
Project Overview
The plan for this section of Yellowhead Trail includes:
- Removal of all traffic signals and direct accesses to Yellowhead Trail.
- Two new interchanges; one at 127 Street and one at 121 Street.
- A new roadway connection from 121 Street and 107 Street to the 121 Street interchange to provide access to Yellowhead Trail.
- New service roads to manage traffic flow.
- A new pedestrian bridge crossing Yellowhead Trail at the 127 Street interchange.
- A new shared pathway on the south side of Yellowhead Trail from St Albert Trail to 107 Street
Project Timeline
2026
2025
2024
2022
2019-2021
Phase 3: Concept
Phase 2: Explore and Refine Options
Phase 1: Identify Values, Issues and Ideas
Project History
The project team is finalizing the detailed design.
On-site investigation and early work construction activities are underway along the corridor to prepare for future major construction work.
Starting mid-November, traffic pattern changes will occur along Yellowhead Trail on 127 Street, as the City works to build a new overpass.
Two lanes in each direction will remain open, with left turns at Yellowhead Trail and 127 Street prohibited.
Please watch for detours and slow down to ensure the safety of other drivers and our construction team.
- Detour Map
- Construction Bulletin
- What We Heard Summary - November 2023
Learn more: 2023 Newsletter
In June 2023, we hosted a public engagement event to share the preliminary design and construction details. The preliminary design survey closed on June 21, 2023. The feedback from the engagement events and the survey results will be shared in the coming months.
Event Materials: St. Albert Trail to 97 Street update recording
Community Conversations
In May 2023, the public was invited to view the preliminary design plan for the project and neighbourhood specific plans, including new active transportation (walk, bike, wheel) connections, landscaping and open space features for Sherbrooke, Prince Charles and Dovercourt.
View the Display Boards
Tree Removals
Crews will remove select trees within the project area. The project team has worked closely with the City’s Urban Forestry Team to minimize the number of trees removed and to ensure existing trees are protected during construction. See the Construction Bulletin for more information.
Building Demolition
Several buildings will be demolished along the north side of Yellowhead Trail, between 129 Street and 121 Street.
127 Street Detour
127 Street and Yellowhead Trail will be realigned to enable construction of the new 127 Street interchange. No left turns in any direction will be permitted at the Yellowhead Trail/127 Street intersection while this detour is in place.
Utility Relocations
Crews are relocating and constructing a number of underground gas, power, telecommunication, sanitary, storm and water lines in the project area.
The drainage work includes the construction of a storm sewer tunnel along the south side of Yellowhead Trail from 131 Street to 121 Street to prevent flooding during heavy rainfall events. In 2023, crews will construct entry and exit shafts near 121 Street and the intersection near 124 Avenue and 131 Street.
Construction of the project continues into spring 2025 with the following work within the project limits:
- Pile installation for the new interchanges at 127 Street and 121 Street
- Installation of underground utilities
- Roadway reconstruction
Two lanes in each direction will remain open, with left turns at Yellowhead Trail and 127 Street prohibited.
Please continue to watch for detours and slow down to ensure the safety of pedestrians, commuters and our construction team.