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Officials at West Edmonton Mall demolished a well-used footbridge over 170 Street this month after repairs proved cost prohibitive.

But now the area’s city councillor says the mall is fighting a city requirement to replace it.

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It means a long detour through busy intersections for the many seniors and other residents in the area, said Ward 1 Coun. Andrew Knack, who’s worried the fight will mean direct access won’t be restored until at least next year.

There are several seniors apartment complexes near the former walkway. Without the bridge, residents will have to walk to 87 Avenue to cross 170 Street. But there are six busy lanes of traffic — eight lanes including turn lanes — and people struggle to make it across before the light changes.

“A lot of our seniors don’t feel comfortable crossing there,” Knack said in an interview Thursday.

The issue started earlier this year when West Edmonton Mall officials started planned rehabilitation on the bridge. But it turned out to be in bad shape. It was deemed to be cheaper to demolish and replace the bridge than to restore it, said Knack, who posted an update on Facebook after hearing from many worried constituents.