Stony Plain Road construction straining business, shop owners say
Business owners say foot traffic and sales have dropped sharply during years-long Valley Line West LRT project
Construction along Stony Plain Road for the Valley Line West LRT is causing major challenges for shops in west Edmonton, business owners say.
Many shop owners say the years-long project has led to a significant drop in foot traffic, leaving them struggling to stay open.
Marigold Infrastructure Partners initiated several closures in the area, including some the area around Stony Plain Road and 156 Street, as part of the accelerated roadwork for Valley Line West
Petra Sekhon owns Vacuum Central, which has been on Stony Plain Road for 36 years. She said her business has lost a third of its revenue this month alone.
"We've been told it's going to be another three years," said Sekhon. "Ninety-nine per cent of the customers when they come in say it's hard to get in … they're telling us that we should move."
She said decisions are also being made without input from business owners.
"They're going to put one tree right in front of my door, which I did not ask for. But I was not given the opportunity to have any kind of input," said Sekhon.
"The plan was in place and they weren't making any changes, even though we've asked."
Bijoy Sasmel, owner of Spirit of India Express, took over his restaurant in January.
He said construction around 156th Street has made it almost impossible for customers to reach him.
"I've had a very bad experience here," said Sasmel.
Sasmel said he hasn't taken a salary in six months, as even delivery drivers cancel orders because they can't find the entrance to the plaza where his restaurant is located.
"Some days my sale is not even $100," he said. "If I don't move from here, maybe I'll be bankrupt. I have to feed my family, I have to feed my kids."
Despite asking for support from the city and Marigold Infrastructure, Sasmel said he got no positive response.
Construction for the Edmonton Valley Line West LRT has been going on for 50 months and is anticipated to be complete in 2028.
Justin Keats from the Stony Plain Road Business Association said businesses are losing 50 per cent or more of their traffic.
"There are no programs that are compensating or trying to rectify the unequal playing field these businesses have been placed in," said the association's members' relations and communications coordinator.
Keats said there was some talk about financial support with city council that has gone through several times, led by Ward Nakota Isga Coun. Andrew Knack, but council was unable to reach a decision.
The association hopes that with Edmonton's municipal election coming up in October, they might be able to start the conversation anew.
"Businesses need some form of compensation that addresses them individually as the business owner versus having those funds go directly to the property owner," said Keats.
"The area in itself would also need some significant reinvestment, whether that's in marketing or additional placemaking initiatives to make this place more viable and lively."
In a statement to CBC News, Po Sun, general supervisor for the Valley Line West, said the city is aware of the challenges and is grateful for the continued patience of residents, commuters and businesses.
"The city doesn't offer financial compensation to businesses due to construction," the statement said, but added that the city is offering "business outreach, signage, and stakeholder support."
Construction at the 156th Street intersection reopened on July 10, but work will continue throughout the area until the LRT is finished, said the city.
"The plan will reduce the overall duration of traffic restrictions by more than half, and take many of the roads along the Valley Line West alignment to their final configuration by the end of 2025."
"If I ran my business the way they run this construction project, I would've been bankrupt years ago," said Sekhon of Vacuum Central.
"And this is taxpayers' money, it's not city's money that's paying for all this."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
