A heavily-used gravel highway in rural south Edmonton is drawing complaints from space residents who say worsening circumstances are making it almost undriveable — particularly after latest rain.
The stretch of 153 Avenue SW, also referred to as Vary Street 253, between 73 Avenue SW and Freeway 19 has advanced from a quiet nation highway right into a busy commuter route lately.
Locals say the elevated visitors has taken a toll.
“It’s teeth-chattering,” mentioned resident Chris Blake, who has lived alongside the highway since 2001. “It shakes each bolt and piece of plastic in your automobile.”
The world was once a part of Leduc County however was annexed by the Metropolis of Edmonton in 2019.
A map displaying the problematic stretch of 153 Avenue, also referred to as Vary Street 253, between 73 Avenue SW and Freeway 19 in rural south Edmonton.
World Information
Since then — and even earlier than — Blake has watched the situation of the unpaved highway steadily decline right into a rutted, muddy mess that requires autos to gradual to a crawl in some sections or danger suspension harm.
After a heavy rainfall just like the Edmonton area skilled over the previous three days, the highway will get even worse.
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The route has develop into a well-liked shortcut for drivers travelling between town and the Edmonton Worldwide Airport and Nisku areas — usually used to keep away from the close by adjoining Freeway 2.
Whereas World Information was within the space Wednesday morning, there was a gentle stream of visitors traversing the bumpy filth highway, together with a number of Amazon supply vehicles.
Amazon supply vehicles alongside a stretch of 153 Avenue, also referred to as Vary Street 253, between 73 Avenue SW and Freeway 19 in rural south Edmonton, onWednesday, June 3, 2026.
World Information
Blake mentioned town grades and provides gravel to the highway just a few instances a yr, however these fixes solely final for days earlier than the floor deteriorates once more, significantly in moist climate.
In accordance with Blake, the highway was by no means designed to deal with the present quantity of visitors, leading to heavy put on and tear on autos and disruptions for close by residents.
Pissed off by the shortage of long-term options, Blake has began handing out flyers to commuters, urging them to contact town and the realm councillor.
“There’s not a lot I can do however voice my frustration, as a result of I stay on this highway,” he mentioned. “If I used to be anyone aside from the few households that stay on this highway, I’d take some other highway … however sadly, I’m caught.”
Blake mentioned residents in the end need the vary highway paved.
The Metropolis of Edmonton mentioned there may be presently no lively building undertaking or capital funding earmarked for the stretch.
Mayor Andrew Knack mentioned town faces competing calls for because it units its finances.
“The message that I need to drive residence with Edmontonians is that we’ve got quite a lot of totally different priorities arising on this four-year finances,” he mentioned.
“We will be unable to do every thing.”
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