A pedestrian footbridge over 170th Street that connected west end residents to the West Edmonton Mall has been demolished, and the likelihood of its replacement seems uncertain.
The footbridge, part of the property of West Edmonton Mall, was demolished a few weeks ago after the mall concluded they wouldn’t refurbish it.
However, the city granted a demolition permit to the mall with a condition that they replace it, an order that a city councillor says the mall is expected to appeal.
Ramps to the former footbridge over 170 Street are all that’s left of the pedestrian crossing to and from West Edmonton Mall. (Rod Maldaner/CBC)
Coun. Andrew Knack, who represents the area, said that he has been hearing concerns from seniors and people with mobility challenges.
“[They] are now finding it really tough to get across the street to the mall,” Knack said, “because, really, the next available opportunity for those is to go to 87th Avenue and have to walk across six lanes of roadway on 170th Street.
“It’s a fairly major roadway to cross. It’s not the safest way to cross if you’re by foot.”
Knack said the mall is expected to appeal the condition to replace the footbridge in September. He’s hopes any appeal would be rejected and that West Edmonton Mall will follow through with rebuilding.
“I know the city is still engaging and connecting with the mall over the next month-and-a-half before this appeal and there could be an opportunity that, before the appeal board in September, they could come to a resolution,” he said.
Since the demolition of the 170 Street footbridge, pedestrians are forced to cross six lanes of traffic across 87 Avenue. (Rod Maldaner/CBC)
The footbridge is located right next to an assisted living facility. Knack said he is worried those residents may be forced into an unsafe situation to get to the mall while a footbridge doesn’t exist.
Many of the people who once used the bridge who spoke to CBC News on Thursday said the lack of bridge was more of a matter of inconvenience.
Requests for comment made by CBC News have not yet been returned by West Edmonton Mall.