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That’s an area “where we’ve had some significant challenges quite frankly,” said Iveson.

The major projects giving councillors headaches recently — the Metro LRT line, new Walterdale bridge delays and the bent steel for the 102nd Avenue over Groat Road bridge — have all been related to transportation.

Moving the construction of roads, bike lanes and bridges into the same department as recreation centres and eco stations is intended to ensure best practices are applied everywhere, he said.

Acting city manager Linda Cochrane’s memo to staff says the changes will take effect March 1.

“This new structure bundles work in departments based on function: all operations work, all infrastructure work, all planning work, all financial and corporate services work, all citizen services and all communications/public engagement work will each be grouped in the same department,” she wrote.

Kate Rozmahel, general manager of corporate services, is being let go. The city is recruiting for two new general managers — integrated infrastructure services and communications and public engagement.

Council will also restructure its committees in June.

In an interview, Cochrane called it an efficiency move to focus on council priorities.

“We think six departments is a reasonable size for our city,” she said. “This is a much different Edmonton than it was even six months ago.”

“There have been serious issues with the transportation department over the long term, issues bigger than one person alone,” said Coun. Michael Walters. “There was some empire-building within the branches, whether it was bike lanes or how neighbourhood renewal was happening in certain neighbourhoods.”

The new system will be more logical, he said. “It creates the opportunity for departments to work together better.”

It also gives communications staff a seat at the leadership table.

“Every municipality has to be able to talk about its success,” said Walters. “(But the department is) not just about explaining and messaging. It’s about listening and learning from citizens.”

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Edmonton’s new civic departments by Elise Stolte