Rainbow Valley Pedestrian Bridge opens for pedestrians, cyclists amid ongoing construction

Aerial view of the Rainbow Valley Pedestrian Bridge in Edmonton on July 9, 2026. (Sean McClune/CTV News Edmonton)

Edmontonians can expect to see a new addition next to the Rainbow Valley Bridge. As the city nears completion of Stage 2 of its Terwillegar Drive Expansion, the Rainbow Valley Pedestrian Bridge is officially open.

The bridge opened Wednesday, providing a separate crossing for pedestrians and cyclists next to the Rainbow Valley roadway bridge. This is meant to enhance safety and strengthen the overall transportation network, according to the City of Edmonton’s website.

Stage 2 consists of upgrades and improvements to Terwillegar Drive and Whitemud Drive, including major construction on Rainbow Valley Bridge and widening Whitemud Drive.

Construction on the westbound bridge is now complete. Traffic has been shifted there to accommodate ongoing work on the eastbound bridge.

The project aims to alleviate congestion, accommodate transit services and enhance active transportation with a safe and efficient route.

Whitemud Drive/Terwillegar Drive interchange upgrades:

• rehabilitating and widening the Rainbow Valley Bridge to four lanes in each direction;
• widening the westbound Whitemud Drive to southbound Terwillegar Drive loop ramp;
• widening the northbound Terwillegar Drive to eastbound Whitemud Drive ramp; and
• partial ramp widening, northbound Terwillegar Drive to northbound Whitemud Drive and southbound Whitemud Drive to southbound Terwillegar Drive.

Whitemud Drive widening to four lanes in each direction between Terwillegar Drive and 122 Street:

• a new pedestrian/cyclist bridge adjacent to the westbound lanes of the Rainbow Valley Bridge;
• shared pathway upgrades from 122 Street to 142 Street;
• a new pedestrian/cyclist bridge over Whitemud Drive near 142 Street;
• a bus-only lane from 53 Avenue to Terwillegar Drive, bypassing the Terwillegar Drive/Whitemud Drive interchange;
• active transportation;
• retaining walls; and
• aoise wall (southbound Whitemud Drive, 47A Avenue to 45 Avenue).

The city is funding interchange upgrades, Whitemud Drive widening and upgrades, Rainbow Valley Bridge widening and rehabilitation, and the new pedestrian bridge over Rainbow Valley through the 2019-22 Capital Budget. The Alberta government will fund the 142 Street Pedestrian Bridge over Whitemud Drive and the bus-only lane from 53 Avenue to Terwillegar Drive.

The 142 Street Pedestrian Bridge is expected to open in two weeks.