Edmonton Road Construction & Detours That Will Affect Your Move (2026)

Edmonton has over $2 billion in active road and transit construction projects right now. If you’re planning a move in 2026, some of these will directly affect your route, your timing, and potentially your cost. Our crews drive these roads every day — here’s what you need to know.

Yellowhead Trail Freeway Conversion ($1.1 Billion)

This is Edmonton’s biggest road project. The city is converting Yellowhead Trail (Highway 16) from a surface road with traffic lights into a grade-separated freeway between St. Albert Trail and 97th Street.

What’s happening now: The 50 km/h, 2-lane sections through north Edmonton are under heavy construction. Interchanges are being built at 149th Street, 127th Street, 116th Street, and 97th Street.

What it means for your move: Yellowhead Trail is THE main east-west route through north Edmonton. If your move involves Calder, Kensington, Castledowns, Lago Lindo, or anything crossing north Edmonton, expect significant delays. Our crews regularly add 20–30 minutes to north-end moves.

Completion: End of 2027.

Detour tips: Use 137 Avenue as the parallel east-west alternative. Whitemud Drive works for south-of-river crossings. If you’re moving within north Edmonton, use 132 Avenue or 153 Avenue to bypass the worst construction zones.

Official project page: Yellowhead Trail Freeway Conversion

Valley Line West LRT

The Valley Line West extends Edmonton’s LRT from downtown to Lewis Farms in west Edmonton. Active construction runs along 102 Avenue and Stony Plain Road.

What’s happening now: Utility relocations, track laying, and station construction along the full corridor from downtown through Oliver, Glenora, and into West Jasper Place.

What it means for your move: 102 Avenue and Stony Plain Road are major arteries through some of Edmonton’s most popular neighbourhoods. Lane closures are constant. Truck access may be restricted on specific blocks — our dispatch team checks daily. Moves in Oliver, Glenora, Crestwood, and West Jasper Place are most affected.

Completion: 2028.

Detour tips: Use Jasper Avenue or 104 Avenue as parallel routes. For north-south access to these neighbourhoods, use Groat Road or 149th Street.

Official project page: Valley Line West LRT

Terwillegar Drive Expansion

Terwillegar Drive is being widened to handle the growing population in southwest Edmonton.

What’s happening now: Stage 2 completing through 2026, Stage 3 beginning spring 2026. This includes widening from 2 to 4 lanes, new interchanges, and intersection improvements.

What it means for your move: Terwillegar Drive is the primary route to Riverbend, Terwillegar Towne, Magrath Heights, and much of southwest Edmonton. Lane reductions and temporary signal changes will slow traffic. Our crews know the construction schedule and adjust routes accordingly.

Completion: Stage 2 in 2026, Stage 3 by 2028.

Detour tips: Use Rabbit Hill Road for access to south Terwillegar. 170th Street works for connecting to Whitemud Drive from the west. During peak construction hours (7–9 AM, 3–5 PM), consider 23rd Avenue as an alternative east-west connector.

Official project page: Terwillegar Drive Expansion

Spring Road Bans (March 1 – June 1)

Every spring, Alberta imposes weight restrictions on secondary roads to protect road surfaces during the spring thaw. This is an annual regulation, not a construction project, but it directly affects moving trucks.

Details: Roads classified as secondary highways get a 25% weight reduction for vehicles over 8,000 kg gross vehicle weight. A fully loaded moving truck for a large household move can exceed this limit.

What it means for your move: Large moves (3+ bedrooms) during spring ban season may need route adjustments to stay on primary highways. This can add distance and time. Smaller moves with lighter loads are generally unaffected.

How our crews handle it: Our dispatch team monitors spring ban announcements from Alberta Transportation and routes trucks accordingly. If your move falls during ban season, we’ll factor this into your quote.

Check current spring road ban status: Alberta Spring Road Bans

Low Bridge Warning — High Level Bridge

This isn’t construction, but it’s critical for anyone with a moving truck: The High Level Bridge has a clearance of just 3.2 metres (10 feet 6 inches). Standard moving trucks will NOT fit.

This bridge has been struck over 21 times in 6 years. It’s the most-struck bridge in Edmonton. If you’re driving a rental truck yourself, pay attention to the height warning signs.

Safe alternatives for crossing the North Saskatchewan River:

• Walterdale Bridge (no height restriction for standard vehicles)

• James MacDonald Bridge

• Groat Road Bridge

• Quesnell Bridge (Whitemud Drive)

How to Check Road Conditions on Moving Day

• Edmonton 311: Call or use the 311 app for real-time road closure updates.

• City of Edmonton Road Closures Map: Check road closures 24 hours before your move.

• Google Maps / Waze: Real-time traffic, but doesn’t always show construction-related lane reductions.

• Our dispatch team: We check conditions every morning and adjust routes. If something changes on moving day, we’ll reroute.

Construction is a fact of life in a growing city. The key is planning around it, not being surprised by it. For neighbourhood-specific information, detour tips, and parking bylaws, check our Edmonton moving page. Ready to plan your move? Get a free quote.