Horseshoe Creek & 137 Ave UPDATE

On June 26, 2026 a FULL ROAD CLOSURE of 137 Avenue west of Starling Drive near Horseshoe Creek was issued. A month later, and the road is completely broken apart, with Horseshoe Creek rapidly running through where it used to be.

Horseshoe Creek and 137 Avenue Project

August 25, 2026, project update from the City of Edmonton:

Emergency repairs will be done on 137 Avenue by Horseshoe Creek. Repair work will restore safe vehicle and pedestrian access by replacing the culvert, stabilizing the creek slopes, rebuilding and widening the embankment, restoring and repaving the roadway and adding a new shared path. Construction is scheduled to begin the first week of September and finish in mid-November, weather dependent.

The wooden pedestrian bridge will not be rebuilt. Instead, the embankment will be widened to accommodate both the roadway and shared path. Curbs and gutters will be incorporated into the roadway above Horseshoe Creek. Weather-dependent work, such as landscaping and the top roadway layer, may be deferred until 2027. This will not impact the roadway reopening.

Vehicle, pedestrian or boat access beyond the barricades continues to be prohibited until construction is complete.

August 18, 2026, project update from EPCOR:

The current plan is to install a 2000 mm diameter culvert to manage increased water flows through Horseshoe Creek. The embankment will be widened to accommodate both the road and a multi-use path, which will eliminate the need for a wooden pedestrian bridge. Curbs and gutters will also be incorporated into the roadway design.

As part of the construction process, a temporary culvert will be installed to divert water around the new culvert while it is under construction.

The new culvert size classifies it as a bridge-size culvert. As a result, ownership and project responsibility will transition from EPCOR to the City of Edmonton. The City will assume control of the site as of August 31 and lead the construction work moving forward. In the meantime, EPCOR will continue to monitor conditions and secure the site until it is handed over to City contractors.

Future updates on this project and related timelines will be provided by the City.

On July 2, 2026, we were provided with additional details regarding the project:

Damage Repair Plans

Work to advance a long-term solution is already underway, with the potential for construction to occur as early as August.

Planned work includes:

• Tree removal inside of creek

• Installing a new culvert

• Restoring the embankment

• Repairing the road surface

  
  

Because this is an environmentally sensitive area, provincial permits are required. The City and EPCOR will work closely with the Government of Alberta to secure permits as quickly as possible. Tree removal will be required to complete this work. All necessary approvals will be obtained prior to any removal activities.

Next steps for the pedestrian bridge are also in development and may take longer to complete.

Traffic options:

Starling Drive Connection

Access to Starling Drive east of Ray Gibbon Drive remains open, and as of July 10, 2026, the Starling Drive connection is complete.

This means residents can enter into Starling from 137 Avenue and follow Starling Drive either to your destination in Starling, or to 199 Street to enter Trumpeter.

In the interim, the existing detour signage will remain in place indefinitely.

REMEMBER: Starling Drive is a residential road, so the speed limit is ONLY 40 KM/H. Be cautious of the residents, children and pets who live and play near the road. Starling South is still full of residential construction, so be mindful of the commercial vehicles and workers who are present.

Residents are still encouraged to use 199 Street via 118A Avenue

If you have any questions about community traffic management, please contact saferoads@edmonton.ca.

Safety

For your safety, please stay clear of the work area. Vehicle or pedestrian access beyond the barricades is prohibited.

We will update residents as soon as information is available via this news item and our social media channels.