Connors Road Post-Construction Wildlife Movement Monitoring
The Valley Line crosses the North Saskatchewan River Valley through Louise McKinney Riverfront Park, Gallagher Park, and along the north side of Connors Road, which is recognized as an important municipal and regional wildlife movement corridor. The Valley Line Environmental Impact Screening Assessment, prepared before construction, suggested a potential adverse impact on wildlife movement in the vicinity of Connors Road.
To fulfill the City’s commitment to conserve Edmonton's natural areas and enhance regional wildlife connectivity throughout the North Saskatchewan River Valley and ravine system, a wildlife passage structure was constructed in this area as part of the required mitigation measures for the Valley Line LRT. This wildlife passage structure is also intended to help reduce negative human-wildlife interactions, including the risk for wildlife-vehicle collisions, by facilitating wildlife movement across Connors Road.
Since the completion of the Valley Line LRT, a five-year post-construction monitoring program was initiated to understand the effectiveness of the wildlife movement mitigation measures and to assess the impact of the new LRT on the area.
It’s important to recognize that results are preliminary findings representing one year of monitoring data based on limited data points. As such, no conclusions can be drawn on wildlife movement or use of the wildlife passage at this time. The City is continuing a five-year monitoring program to fully understand wildlife movement in this area.
Year One (2024-2025) Monitoring Key Findings
Valley Line Southeast LRT Connors Road Post-Construction Wildlife Movement Monitoring:
Final Report (2024-2025) (14.59 MB)
April 14, 2015 - City Council Approves Environmental Impact Screening Assessment and Site Location Study Updates
City Council has accepted the recommendation of the Transportation Committee and approved updates to the Environmental Impact Screening Assessment and Site Location Study. These updates include minor adjustments to the Project Area in the North Saskatchewan River Valley made in response to community member concerns identified during the preliminary design process. The Transportation Committee made its recommendation on March 25, following a non-statutory public hearing which featured presentations from LRT Design and Construction, citizens, and community groups.
Environmental Impact Screening Assessment
The City is making slight adjustments to plans for the Valley Line LRT in the river valley in response to community member concerns identified during the preliminary design process. As required by Bylaw 7188 (the North Saskatchewan Area Redevelopment Plan), the Environmental Impact Screening Assessment and Site Location Study accepted by City Council in September 2013 are being updated to reflect these changes. Among other things, these adjustments are intended to:
- Better accommodate Edmonton Ski Club and Muttart Conservatory operations
- Help minimize construction traffic on Cameron Avenue
- Provide better connectivity for trail users during construction
Open House Displays (10 MB)
Valley Line LRT Environmental Impact Assessment Finalized
As outlined in the North Saskatchewan River Valley Area Redevelopment Plan (City of Edmonton Bylaw 7188), Stage 1 of the Valley Line LRT has performed a comprehensive Environmental Impact Screening Assessment (EISA) of affected sites. This assessment details potential impacts, areas of concern and mitigation measures for River Valley sites affected by Valley Line LRT construction and operation. The assessment has now been completed and is available here, along with the accompanying Site Location Study (SLS).
Valley Line LRT Stage 1 Environmental Impact Screening Assessment (40 MB)
EIA - By Section:
Valley Line LRT Stage 1 Site Location Study (8 MB)
