The Ribbon of Steel is a multi-modal transportation corridor along an abandoned rail line servicing Downtown Edmonton. It includes a 3.0 metre wide, asphalt multi-use trail for pedestrians, cyclists and other active modes. An historic streetcar runs parallel to the trail, similar to many European scenes. An access to the underground Light Rail Transit station is also incorporated with the design. Edmonton's Transportation Master Plan (1999) highlighted the importance of providing a mix of travel options - exclusively building more roadways is unsustainable mobility management. An accessibility priority was to develop non-motorised facilities along rail and utility rights-of-way. City Council has since approved a 62-kilometre Multi-use Trail Corridor Network servicing all quadrants of Edmonton. The Ribbon of Steel is the primary trail route through the urban centre, connecting to existing off-road trail systems at either end. For the covering abstract of this conference see ITRD number E211395.
Abstract