The Outer Ring Road
Background
The Transportation Master Plan Foundations for the Plan The Plan in Detail The Roadway Hierarchy High Standard Arterial Roadway Corridors Arterial Roadway Network Modifications Traffic Management Initiatives Providing Travel Choices Impact Mitigation Initiatives Reducing Environmental Impacts
The concept of an Outer Ring Road for Edmonton has been under consideration and study for over three decades. The idea has recently come to partial fruition with the construction of Anthony Henday Drive in West Edmonton. Along Edmonton's eastern flank, the existing Highway14/14X functions as the Outer Ring Road's eastern leg. The Transportation Master Plan reaffirms the need for continued development of the Outer Ring Road as an integral and ever more critical component of Edmonton's transportation infrastructure. The Outer Ring Road is to be developed within the Transportation and Utility Corridor (TUC) established by the Province of Alberta around the periphery of the City of Edmonton. The roadway is to be developed to a basic six through lane standard with additional lanes as needed for weaving and/or entry/exit movements. Ultimately, the Outer Ring Road is intended to function in a free-flow fashion, with all intersections to be grade-separated. The spacing of intersections and prevailing travel demand will influence the configuration of interchanges on the ring road and will be the subject of further review prior to implementation. The Outer Ring Road is expected to play a key role in the conveyance of people and goods within and through the greater Edmonton region. Its role in the region is to facilitate efficient access to and movement between Edmonton and the region's municipalities, thereby relieving the respective internal roadway systems of the burden of through movement. The Outer Ring Road's specific benefit to Edmonton will be its ability to provide effective and efficient access to Edmonton based industrial and commercial areas and reinforce Edmonton's position and strength as a distribution and manufacturing centre for northern Alberta. In particular, the Outer Ring Road will permit excellent access between Edmonton area industries and the provincial and national highway systems. This should enhance the ability of Edmonton area industries and businesses to access external markets with a minimum of locally induced transportation costs.
Safety Initiatives
The Inner Ring Loop Infrastructure Rehabilitation
Effects of The Plan Plan Implementation
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As a complement to the Outer Ring Road, the Plan recommends the development of a high standard Inner Ring Loop to cater to cross-town traffic within Edmonton city limits. The Inner Ring Loop would primarily entail the enhancement of existing arterial corridors as opposed to the development of new ones. To that end, the Inner Ring Loop would involve an upgraded Whitemud Drive, Yellowhead Trail, 170 Street and 75 Street/Capilano Drive.
5011/TIONS fOR Tiff FUTURE