76 Avenue Renewal - Letter of Support

Letter to the City of Edmonton, 76 Avenue Renewal Project Team

Dear Project Team,

On behalf of the Ritchie Community League (RCL), I am writing to express our support for the 76 Avenue Renewal project. After reviewing the design concepts presented in the 2025 Exploring Options and Tradeoffs stage for 89 Street to 99 Street, the Ritchie Community League board supports the implementation of infrastructure for all ages and abilities that also enhances the community's forest canopy and promotes local businesses.

Our support for is based on the following key priorities:

1. All Ages and Abilities Infrastructure: 76 Avenue is a vital corridor for children attending local schools, seniors residing in the area, and neighbors visiting local businesses. An emphasis on protected travel and with wider, boulevard-separated sidewalks significantly increases safety for residents while still providing parking opportunities on one side of the street year-round.

2. Enhancing the Forest Canopy: Boulevards, trees, and low-impact development (LID) are critical to ensure 76 Avenue is safe and enjoyable for residents. These elements have the potential to provide better outcomes for snow clearing in the winter. It is vital that boulevards, trees, and LID be provided wherever possible throughout the corridor.

3. Promoting Local Businesses: Ritchie is home to a thriving community of small businesses. We understand that walkable, bikeable streets are good for the local economy. By prioritizing the place-making aspects of the street, such as seating, better lighting, and a more pleasant space, the improvements will encourage residents and visitors to linger, shop, and support the entrepreneurs along 76 Avenue. We also encourage the project team to collaborate with the league and local businesses on design elements at Ritchie 4-Corners (96 Street).

As we observe another season of winter, our support is conditional to a responsive and adequate snow removal plan for 76 Ave between 99 and 85 street and we request this plan to be included as part of the project, for final approval.

We thank the Project Team for their work and engagement with the community throughout 2025.

We look forward to being a partner on the next steps of the project as it moves forward, including collaborative engagement on the 96 Street intersection to create a uniquely Ritchie design solution.

Sincerely,

Carly Steiger, President

Civics Update - Erosion Repair, RCL Vibrant Streets Team, 100 Street Infrastructure Work

THREE updates for you today about civics news in the Ritchie community!

100 STREET INFRASTRUCTURE

First up, if you travel through West Ritchie you might have noticed the start of construction on 100 street close to Whyte Avenue.

You might remember the announcement in this post about the 100 Street shared use path and bike lane, part of the Active Transportation Network Expansion project. The construction you’ve noticed between 83 Avenue and 79 Avenue is bi-directional on-street projected bike lane. It’s similar to the bike lane that extends north of 83 Avenue on 100 Street. 

As far as we can tell, they have not started on the second component of the project, the on-street shared use path from 76 avenue to 79 avenue.

Visit the City’s project page for more information and details on operation and parking impacts. Select Ritchie below the ‘Active Transportation Network Expansion Program Routes’ header.

---

VIBRANT STREETS TEAM

Ritchie Community League is creating a Vibrant Streets Team! Their focus is supporting improvements to street safety and vibrancy. This includes advocating for safer street design and providing more ways for residents to safely and conveniently move throughout the community and to other areas of the City.

Our Civics Director Daniel is leading the team with help from other Ritchie residents who are passionate about street safety, infrastructure, and transportation.

Questions? Email civics@ritchie-league.com

To join the Vibrant Streets Team, please fill out this form.

---

RAVINE EROSION REPAIR

This update comes directly from the city and directly impacts those Ritchie residents who like to walk in Mill Creek Ravine.

City crews started construction this month in Mill Creek Ravine for erosion repairs at two bridges - the road bridge at 82 Avenue and a pedestrian bridge at approximately 86 avenue. The multi-use paths at these bridges will be closed for the duration of the project. Watch for detour signage of detours in the areas ictured below). Minimal traffic disruptions are expected on the vehicle bridge as work will occur under the bridge and will not require road closures.

The City plans for work to be completed by the end of 2025, with some carryover for landscaping in 2026. Please be aware that this timeline is dependent on contractor performance.

Click here for more information about this City of Edmonton construction project.

Community Civics Updates

What’s New?

Ritchie Community League is excited to share some updates about several recent City of Edmonton projects occurring throughout the community. 

1. New Pedestrian Lights at 99 Street and 78 Avenue

New pedestrian signals are currently being installed at the intersection to improve safety, convenience, and access for pedestrians. The installation is part of the City of Edmonton’s Safe Crossings Program.

2. Proposed Entertainment District - Survey!

The City of Edmonton is proposing to turn 78 Avenue between 99 Street and 100 Street into an Entertainment District. Entertainment Districts allow for spaces throughout the city where food and drink (including alcoholic beverages) can be consumed on the street. This is intended to make it easier to activate the area, help to bring vibrancy to the neighbourhood and support local businesses that have invested in 78 Avenue. The City is currently collecting feedback through an online survey, which is open until July 6. 

3. 100 Street Active Transportation Improvements

Construction is expected to start this summer on the 100 Street shared use path and bike lane, as part of the Active Transportation Network Expansion project. The project is split into two main components: 

• Between 83 Avenue and 79 Avenue: A bi-directional on-street projected bike lane will be installed, similar to the bike lane that extends north of 83 Avenue on 100 Street. 

• Between 76 Avenue and 79 Avenue: A on-street shared use path will be installed, which will provide safe access for active modes where there is currently no sidewalk. A shared use path is shared by all active transportation users, including those who bike, walk, run, scoot, blade and more. 

Visit the project page (Select Ritchie below the ‘Active Transportation Network Expansion Program Routes’ header) for more information and details on operation and parking impacts.

Mill Creek and 76 Avenue

Earlier this year, work was initiated by the City of Edmonton to address erosion and culvert replacement for the Mill Creek that crosses under 76 Avenue. Various studies and options were considered regarding the culvert replacement which evidently led to the installation of a span bridge, supporting single lane traffic (keeping capacity the same) and a shared pathway (based on 76 Ave renewal engagement). The creek will then be realigned and naturalized.

Details about the project and commonly asked questions that the league asked the City are found on their website.

CLICK HERE for the FAQs specific to this project.

HOW DOES RITCHIE COMMUNITY LEAGUE FIT IN?

The league is focusing on street safety for all residents! We have been and will continue to engage directly with the City to help ensure that all crossings along 76 Avenue allow for safe travels.

Want to join the Civics conversation? Email: Civics@Ritchie-League.com