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The big questions — such as where the interchanges will go — have already been decided. But there are many staging and access questions where only people who live, do business and commute in the area understand the full impacts.

Edmonton residents can sign up for updates at edmonton.ca/yellowheadtrail.

Construction on the $1-billion project is expected to begin in spring 2019, ending sometime between 2026 and 2028.

Coun. Bev Esslinger said she’s already hearing concerns about the loss of north-south access being planned for 149 Street. It will force residents to detour to 156 Street or St. Albert Trail to cross. Temporary and permanent access changes will be difficult for businesses as well.

She also hopes pedestrian and cycling access across the freeway will be part of the conversation: “It should not be an add on.”

Some parts of Whitemud Drive have pedestrian-only bridges to facilitate movement between neighbourhoods on either side of the road. In other places they are missing, such as between Brookside and Bulyea Heights, making it difficult for Terwillegar-Riverbend residents to reach the river valley paths without a car.

The Yellowhead Trail project will require Edmonton to buy or expropriate “numerous properties” along the route. The city report says land requirements near 149 Street, 89 Street and Fort Road have already been determined.

Officials are still identifying what they will need around the 127 Street interchange, 121 Street interchange and the 66 Street interchange, among other areas.

Negotiations have already started, with officials trying to finalize deals with owners of property needed for the 2019 construction season first. They did not say how much land in total will be needed for the project or include an itemized list of properties.

estolte@postmedia.com

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