What’s being done to fix our 10 worst roads?

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Roads are a hot topic in Edmonton.

In particular, roads that are in poor condition are the hottest of topics. I likely get more feedback on this topic than just about any other issue.

What are the worst major roads in Edmonton and what’s being done to fix them?

I asked our City Transportation officials that big question. They’ve compiled some key information on that in a handy one-stop online location.

Here’s a link to the 10 stretches of Edmonton roadway that most need rehabilitation. This list contains photos and explanations of when rehab on these roads is slated to take place.

Thanks to Transportation for compiling this information.

I’ve heard it loud and clear from Edmontonians they want good core services.

As such, I’ll continue to fight to see as much repair work done on roads as possible.

If you comment on my blog about OTHER roads that need major repair I’ll point out your individual concerns to  Administration.

Meanwhile, if you spot potholes in your neighbourhood or anywhere in Edmonton, be sure to report them so they can be fixed. Call the City at 311 or e-mail the exact locations to 311@edmonton.ca

People have told me that once they report potholes, the City is fairly quick to fix them.

Do you want to be able to easily give your feedback to me on some of the hottest City Hall issues? Sign up for my free monthly e-newsletter. I ask Edmontonians about what they think on key issues. Go HERE to sign up.

What was it like to be in a wheelchair for the day?

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Thanks to all who donated to my cause that saw me spend day in a wheelchair to raise awareness for the Canadian Paraplegic Association.

I know it’s a mere blip in time compared to the fact many people must use wheelchairs their whole lives, but I truly learned something from my May 11 experience.

I found a lot of awkward doors, too-narrow store aisles, slanted sidewalks and tables that I couldn’t sit at with a wheelchair.

A wheelchair ramp at a major building in Edmonton was so steep I almost wound up rolling out of control into traffic. Obviously just having a wheelchair ramp doesn’t mean a building is accessible. A too-steep grade can be insurmountable for some in chairs.

I believe my brief experience using a wheelchair was valuable. Here’s a brief video of part of my day:

Arena deal still comes up short

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City council recently was embroiled in more debate about the proposed new downtown arena.

As I’ve always said, the arena is a great idea. We have one of the oldest rinks in the NHL. The architect’s drawings presented to council recently are attractive, no doubt.

But having listened to scores of Edmontonians, they’re telling me in no uncertain terms, this deal is a bad one for taxpayers. I wholeheartedly agree.

Too much of it is on the backs of city taxpayers.

We’re spending tax money now to advance this project despite that there’s at least a $100 million hole in the funding.

The province has repeatedly indicated it won’t pony up $100 million for an arena. At council I asked if anything has changed and it has not.

I asked if the Katz Group has been approached to contribute that missing $100 million and administration indicated that was not an option.

Yet, we’re proceeding to spend millions of dollars in tax money on this project.

Currently, the bulk of the Katz Group contribution to this $450-million arena will come about through what is essentially a $3.5 million annual payment for the first 10 years and a $5.5-million annual payment for the remaining years of the deal.

Virtually everybody who has contacted me says that is some sweet deal for the Katz Group and a poor one for taxpayers. I agree.

It’s incredible to think that under the proposed deal the City will build the arena and own it, yet not have naming rights to it. Judging from other markets naming rights are worth millions of dollars annually. It’s in Edmonton’s best interest to have those naming rights.

When I asked at council (May 16) administration confirmed that the all-in cost the City of Edmonton will pay for the arena (including interest payments and related infrastructure) is $303 million.

So what should happen from here forward, in my opinion?

Well, city council agreed in October to a financial framework that covered some of these points I mentioned, and some other points.

But that framework is not set in stone! Because it is not finalized, everything can be up for negotiation.

I believe the City should push to get more financial contribution from the Katz Group, full stop.

What do you think? I am eager to hear your opinions. Please comment on this post and share it with your friends.

Get all the hot news first by signing up for my monthly e-newsletter HERE.

What’s your view of 40km/h speed limits?

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Should the City reduce speed limits to 40 km/h throughout Edmonton?

Or should every one of the 150 or so neighbourhoods be allowed to apply to see speeds reduced to 40 km/h in residential areas?

That’s a lively discussion we had at my transportation and infrastructure committee today.

I’ve heard from a lot of Edmontonians and the majority I’ve heard from are opposed to the lower residential speed limits. An online survey I did found 60% opposed to lowering residential streets to 40 km/h. But 70% voted to have city-wide speed reduction near schools.

At committee I argued against bringing in a policy that would likely see more 40 km/h zones created in neighbourhoods.

It would create a confusing patchwork of different speeds, I said.

A pilot project that cost nearly half a million dollars saw six neighbourhoods where speeds were switched to 40 km/h temporarily. Three of those voted against seeing those 40 km/h speeds made permanent in their neighbourhoods.

Continuing down this road could cost millions of dollars for surveys, mailouts, public consultations, new signage etc. That’s money that could be better spent to actually repair roads.

A better solution to getting people to stop speeding in neighbourhoods? Enforce the 50 km/h speed limit with photo radar. I’m pleased the Office of Traffic Safety informed me today, that’s something they can do if they get complaints.

There are many tools to stop people from speeding and photo radar in residential areas will do that better than changing speed limits.

Our committee decided to pass a motion I made that has the effect of not allowing further haphazard expansion of 40 km/h speed limit zones in Edmonton.

I did support a move to see Administration explore having school zones created city-wide at 30km/h.

I’d love to hear your views on all of this. Please leave a comment right here on this blog.
Thanks!
-Kerry

Comments I made at committee:

  • “Isn’t there some fear on your behalf that the city is going to look like a bad quilt of patchwork of 40/k, 50/k speeds?”
  • “If it’s 40 and nobody enforces it, what good is that?”
  • “Do you not think it might be a good solution to have photo radar there to enforce current speeds?”

The May newsletter is out!

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Check out list of hot topics including Lucy the elephant, Elements Music Festival, homelessness and more in my monthly newsletter. Please do leave a comment on the issues that are important to you

The May newsletter can be viewed HERE.

Your comments might also be features this month’s newsletter. Take a look at the Tweet O’ the Month, and You Said it. That’s where we features some of your comments sent to me via Facebook and Twitter

I love hearing from you all!

Keep the feedback coming by commenting on my Facebook page and on my website.

Stay updated on issues important to you. If you don’t subscribe to my free, monthly, e-newsletter sign up now by clicking HERE.

Video: Mill Creek Cleanup

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I think if we all pitch in we can make a difference in our communities.

I became a garbage guru alongside residents from four other communities – Ritchie, Hazeldean, Avonmore and Argyll – while helping clean up Edmonton’s Mill Creek Ravine  May 6.

Armed with both a recycling bag and a garbage bag, many of us trekked uphill and even through raspberry bushes to pick up litter in the ravine.

Kudos to those who organized this and came out to help.

You can watch the video of my experience below.

Please share your comments right here on the website.

Do you volunteer for neighborhood spring cleaning?

Bylaw passes – it’s not just idle talk

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City council passed a vehicle anti-idling bylaw by a vote of 7-4 on May 2.

I voted against this law that will prohibit vehicles from idling too close to schools and hospitals.

Why didn’t I support it? Administration told me at council this week hospitals and schools had every right to ban idling on their own by posting warning signs.

I figure, why pass a complicated bylaw that’s hard to enforce when schools and hospitals can make their own rules against idling? Why are we, as a city council, getting into an area of social engineering?

It’s another bylaw that will likely be impossible to easily enforce and will tie up our very busy bylaw officers.

Under the new bylaw, passed May 2, many service vehicles are exempt, including school buses, City buses, taxis and DATS.

 

Funny video: bus driving competition

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I kicked off this month by accepting an invitation to drive a City bus at the annual Edmonton Transit Skills Competition held in the parking lot at Northlands Edmonton Expo Centre.

The trick is to maneuver these giant beasts through a tight course dotted with pylons and barrels.

The real ETS drivers who competed did great, but let’s just say I’m not ready to quit my day job as a city councillor to begin a new career in transit. Nobody got hurt after I took the wheel of a bus to do the course, but a few pylons and barrels were injured.

But the experience did give me a new appreciation for how good a driver has to be to pilot an ETS bus.

Check out my bus-driving video.

 

Your comments on Elements Music Fest?

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I took in the Elements Music Festival for three hours the evening of April 27.

There was good security and patrons were friendly and well-behaved. The April 27-28 event at Northlands Edmonton Expo Centre appeared very well-organized, especially considering staff had to handle about 8,500 patrons each night.

It was unfortunate 27 people wound up having to go to hospital for various reasons including some for drug overdoses – most of them on Saturday night.

But I still worry if events like this are banned, they would go underground and patrons would be in greater danger without as much supervision.

I’m glad EPS and EMS were on hand in big numbers to take care of those in medical distress.

Your thoughts on this event and others like it?