EDMONTON — A dream for a massive park and trail system in the Edmonton area has taken another step towards becoming a reality.
The River Valley Alliance now has a commitment from Ottawa to put in $30 million towards the project that will run all the way from Fort Saskatchewan to Devon.
The alliance’s plan is to eventually link 88 kilometres of trail that can be used by cyclists, joggers, walkers and cross-country skiers.
Alliance chairman Sol Rolingher (RAHL-IN-JER) says the trails will have parkland as well as exhibits that depict the region’s history.
The alliance developed the plan in 2007 and the whole thing could cost more than $600 million.
The Alberta government has already pledged $50 million.
The federal government’s contribution hinges on a matching contribution from the seven municipalities involved — the cities of Edmonton and Fort Saskatchewan; the town of Devon; and Strathcona, Sturgeon, Parkland and Leduc counties.
Rolingher says about 12 bridges will have to be built to connect the trails because some areas of the river valley are too steep on one side to be travelled on.
He says he will be making the pitch to the municipalities in the coming weeks and he hopes work can start in the spring. (CHED)