Construction on 53rd Avenue bridge over Whitemud finishes ahead of schedule

Drivers rejoice — more construction in Edmonton is clearing up, just in time for winter.

All four lanes on the 53rd Avenue bridge over Whitemud Drive are now open.

The $12.4-million project finished up three days ahead of schedule. Bridge girders, the bridge deck and walkways were replaced during construction.

The City of Edmonton cited the "early spring and a collaborative approach to delivery of the project with the contractor" as reasons the project was completed ahead of schedule.

"We are very pleased with how this project turned out," Adam Laughlin, deputy city manager, said in a news release. "When appropriate, we plan to bring contractors into the design phase of projects much earlier so we can benefit from their knowledge and experience."

The same early-collaboration approach will be implemented in another pilot project, slated for 2017. The construction on the 170th Street southbound bridge will bring the contractor into the process much earlier to provide input.

More detail on that construction project will be discussed by city council at the Nov. 22 executive committee meeting.