A $5-million multi-use trail project on the east side of Red Deer ran into a bit of a snag this year, but it wasn’t for lack of trying.
The project, which includes a unique “living wall” and is about half done along the future 20th Avenue, could have been completed this year however a wet and stormy summer slowed progress.
“It has been a very challenging year in terms of the weather,” said Wayne Gustafson, Engineering Services manager for the City of Red Deer.
But the good news is that the trail that was completed this year — from 55th (Hwy 11) to 32nd Streets — has been well received. People are already walking and cycling along the freshly laid three-metre wide asphalt trail.
Gustafson said the project will continue next year with the remainder of the trail loop and berm being built from 32nd to 19th Streets (along 20th Avenue), and then west to Vermont Avenue in Vanier Woods.
A tender has been issue for the work next season, and includes planting 520 trees and 680 shrubs along the trail that features the living wall.
The wall, which Gustafson called a pilot project, is comprised of large earth-filled bags. Grass and other plants will grow into the wall that doesn’t require regular maintenance such as cutting and trimming. The wall is now topped with a wire mesh fence so that people who might walk along the top of it won’t fall off.
Based on a sound study looking at noise abatement, the height of the wall and berm is designed to be 2.4 metres (eight feet) above the future 20th Avenue road surface.
It’s the first time the city has built a living wall system but it has been used successfully elsewhere in Alberta. It doesn’t take as much land, and natural vegetation grows in it to help stabilize it. “So we’re quite excited to see how that works,” Gustafson said.
A lengthy row of older trees along trail route was removed last year. The new trees and shrubs will be planted in the spring, well ahead of when construction starts on the 20th Avenue, which is sometime in the future, depending on need and funding.
The landscaping will help alleviate some of the construction disturbance that will eventually occur, Gustafson said.
barr@www.reddeeradvocate.com