Edmonton group will hit the streets in search of missing stretches of sidewalks

Michelle Bissell doesn't go out looking for missing links in the city's sidewalk network. But because she uses an electric wheelchair to get around, Bissell has become an expert of sorts in the problems these gaps create.

"It's disabling us even more," said Bissell, education co-ordinator with the Voice of Albertans with Disabilities (VAD) Society.

This summer, Edmonton's Paths for People organization is again tackling the problem of missing links — that is, sidewalks that are missing sections or that abruptly end — by relaunching an initiative that identifies the gaps.

That information can then be used by the city in its infrastructure repair program.

The group launched the first part of this initiative in 2019. Using data collected from that survey, the city has built about five kilometres of sidewalk to fill the gaps, injecting more than $17 million into sidewalk construction.

Bissell said missing links in the sidewalk can force her onto the street, a situation she says is both unsafe and uncomfortable.

"I don't go downtown without someone with me," said Bissell.

"I'm scared to cross the street by myself, because the roads are so bad. They're just horrible."

Paths for People director Jason Wang told CBC the relaunch couldn't come at a better time.

"Since 2019, a lot has changed in Edmonton," he said. "We recognize that there's a need now to refresh this understanding of where gaps are so we can help prioritize the next set of projects."

A stretch of sidewalk that ends abruptly at 103A Avenue near 109th Street. Since 2022, the city added about five kilometres of sidewalk to fill gaps. and another seven kilometres that are set for development in the next two years. (Craig Ryan/CBC)

Wang said staying on top of sidewalk maintenance and construction is important for pedestrian safety. So far this year, seven pedestrians were killed in Edmonton. In comparison, six pedestrians total were killed during the four year stretch from 2020 through 2023.

Ensuring safer sidewalks is one step toward avoiding pedestrian deaths, according to Wang.

"This is not just about infrastructure in the core of the city, it's about infrastructure all around the city," he said. "That's why we're asking people to tell us and to tell the city where the gaps are because they know their local communities best."

The city assesses factors like population density and proximity to vulnerable users in deciding which sections of missing sidewalks to deal with, said Natalie Lazurko, the city's director of transportation planning and design.

Lazurko said the missing minks initiative conducted by Paths for People aligns with the city's goal to create accessible communities for residents.

"Walkability is really an important thing for the city and our city plan is very much founded in ensuring that we're providing a liveable environment for people," she said.

Bissell said she would like the city to be continually updating its network of city sidewalks to ensure they are accessible and comfortable for people like her to use.

"I hope the city continues to fix the roads and the sidewalks in not just a small little area, but all over the city."