High Level Bridge to be closed to traffic next spring and summer for urgent repairs

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Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-30 21:25:54.0
Tags: [Municipal, Alberta, Infrastructure, Transportation, Climate]

The City of Edmonton is advancing 2028 rehabilitation plans for the 113-year-old High Level Bridge to the upcoming spring and summer construction season to address severe south-slope erosion caused by unseasonably heavy summer rainfall in 2026. The bridge will be closed to vehicle traffic for the entire construction season to accommodate structural repairs—including work on bearings, deck surfaces, and drainage systems—while the city postpones planned work on the northbound Low Level Bridge until 2028. The city is exploring accessing the Hazard Assistance and Resilience Program (HARP) fund to help cover repair costs, while the bridge's west pedestrian sidewalk and summer trolley are slated to remain operational when possible.

Councillor wants to bill developers for felled trees in new neighbourhoods

Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-09-07 20:11:02.0
Tags: [Municipal, Housing, Environment, Climate, Infrastructure]

Edmonton City Councillor Michael Janz (Ward papastew) has put forward a municipal motion to charge developers a per-tree fee for clear-cutting forests and wetlands during the construction of new greenfield neighbourhoods. The policy aims to internalize the true environmental cost of urban sprawl, noting that a single mature tree absorbs roughly 21 kilograms of CO2 annually while offsetting the climate risks currently offloaded onto taxpayers. This motion coincides with a separate proposal by Mayor Andrew Knack regarding permit requirements for tree removal during infill developments, supported by committee findings that urban redevelopment generates 30 to 50 percent fewer emissions than outward expansion.

More heavy rain forecast for Cape Breton as it recovers from weekend storm

Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-09-07 14:01:08.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Municipal, Emergency, Public Safety, Environment, Climate]

Following severe storms that triggered local states of emergency in Inverness, Victoria, and Richmond counties—with some areas receiving over 120 mm to 200 mm of rain and resulting in the death of a Cleveland, N.S., woman—Environment Canada issued yellow rainfall warnings for Sydney Metro, Cape Breton County, and Victoria County. An additional 25 to 40 millimetres of rain are forecasted, prompting provincial officials including Premier Tim Houston and Emergency Management Minister Kim Masland to urge residents to avoid non-essential travel and follow local road closures.

‘211 years of community’: Funding aims to protect Upper Hammonds Plains from wildfires

Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-09-04 19:36:52.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Municipal, Environment, Climate, Emergency, Infrastructure]

The Government of Nova Scotia is committing $199,000 from its Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund to the Upper Hammonds Plains Community Land Trust. The funding supports wildfire risk assessment and mitigation initiatives, including FireSmart Canada home assessments, community clean-ups, and remediation for 85 historic homes, a church, and other community buildings. The initiative addresses heightened wildfire safety concerns following the 2023 Tantallon wildfire and local emergency egress vulnerabilities identified in a Halifax Regional Municipality staff report.

City to debate $114.58 million in climate mitigation actions in four-year budget talks

Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-09-03 22:01:58.0
Tags: [Municipal, Alberta, Environment, Climate, Infrastructure, Finance]

The Edmonton City Council Executive Council unanimously passed motions to advance $114.58 million in climate mitigation actions for consideration during the upcoming four-year budget deliberations, down from a total proposed package of $257 million. The package includes four no-cost immediate actions—such as exploring alternative funding options and working with Epcor to improve electrical grid resilience—along with eight actions headed to December budget talks, including funding for energy-efficient buildings under the Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program and fleet decarbonization. Additional proposals include $5 million to support community climate initiatives, $5 million to fund the Alberta Ecotrust Foundation's Climate Fund Endowment, and exploring the daylighting of urban creeks like Mill Creek with Epcor.