River valley funicular gets thumbs up from council

Edmonton's river valley funicular and public staircase will be a reality, after city council approvedthe $24-million project Tuesday without debate.

"It's about getting people into and out of the river valley," said Rob Marchak, the city'sdirector of strategic projects planning.

Unless you're fit or have a car, getting into the river valley in the downtown area can be quite difficult, he said.

The funicular project includes a six-metre-wide stairway and boardwalk that will descend from the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald and crossvarious roadways towards theriver, ending with an elevator that will drop users intothe river valley trail system.

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"When you get to the top there, you'll be at this incredible viewpoint where you have this wonderful sweeping view of the river valley, Marchak told CBC's Edmonton AM. "You'll have the option to take the stairs or the mechanized lift depending upon your ability."

"The stairs themselves are very generous," Marchak said. "They're six-metres wide. There's a series of platforms as you descend the hill. More viewpoints, more points for activity."

The lift, or funicular, will parallel the staircase at the steepest segment, allowing people with strollers, bicycles or wheelchairsanyone with mobility issuesto access the river valley, he said.

The staircase and funicular is one of a series of projects approved in 2012 to develop the river valley next to the Epcor generating station, he said.

Two per cent of the funding for the project will come from city taxpayers, withthe lion's share coming from other levels of government.

Construction could start later this year, with an opening celebration sometime in 2017, Marchak said.