Driving on Fort Road in northeast Edmonton is easier again. After three years of major roadwork, all lanes have re-opened. For some businesses, that brings a sigh of relief but for others a long road to recovery remains. Kabi Moulitharan explains.Major roadwork along portions of Fort Road caused traffic chaos for drivers and a nightmare for businesses in the area.
Chaaban said the Fort Road closure blocked easy access to his storefront and almost pushed the business to permanently closing, after struggling to survive from COVID-19 restrictions.He had to lower prices to entice customers to come back to his store. The construction started in August 2021 and a bulletin from that time said the project should be finished in “Fall 2023.”The city said during full closures, they ensured businesses and pedestrians were informed.
“During the project, we had traffic flowing through the area at all times. Whether it was Fort Road or detoured onto 66th Street so we did accommodate traffic and pedestrians,” Kris Lima, the city of Edmonton’s Yellowhead Trail conversion director, told Global News.“I know it’s been a little bit long coming but we’d like to thank the patience of the residents and the local businesses,” Lima said.Global News spoke with several businesses along Fort Road.