EDMONTON FUNICULAR | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | 2017

Architects: DIALOG 
Client: City of Edmonton
General Contractor: Graham Construction
Photographers: Tom Arban Photography, Inc.

The North Saskatchewan River Valley is the birthplace of the City of Edmonton, a site that has been home to indigenous peoples for millennia.

The deep, steep slopes of the river valley are intrinsic to its beauty and character, but they also make access difficult for people with mobility challenges.

An unfortunate network of roadways cuts off the north river bank and downtown Edmonton from the valley and its trail system.

The Edmonton Funicular is the story of restoring connectivity of Edmonton’s people to the water and nature that has sustained them for countless generations. The Mechanized River Valley Access—often called the Edmonton Funicular—was imagined to address this connectivity challenge.

In its design, the funicular can engage Edmontonians and visitors of any ability in an elegant narrative—harmonizing with the river, a ribbon of nature through the city. More than an infrastructure and accessibility project, the funicular is defined by its emphasis on placemaking and improvement of the public realm.

It allows Edmontonians to become tourists in their own backyard.

Descending into the river valley is an engaging, multi-dimensional experience for people of all abilities: from families with small children; to runners and cyclists; to commuters and seniors. Key experiences mark the journey in and around the funicular:

Promontory —At the top of the bank, the promontory acts as an extension of 100 Street and provides panoramic views of the valley.

This urban plaza integrates passive and active zones for those waiting for the funicular and those taking in the view. Generous steps connect visitors to the edge of the overlook with plenty of space for programming special events, for stretching after running stairs, and for watching the sun set.

100 Street Funicular and Urban Staircase—The funicular runs between the top promontory and a promenade mid-way along the valley slope.

This inclined elevator allows people in wheelchairs, cyclists, parents with strollers, and people of all abilities to traverse the steep slope easily (and free of charge!).

The incline of the funicular follows the slope, providing dynamic views overlooking the picturesque river valley.

Flanking the funicular is a broad urban staircase—Edmonton’s Spanish Steps. Wide and welcoming, the wooden steps connect directly to the river valley.

They are also a destination unto themselves, with ample space to linger and play.

On the steps, downtown office workers enjoy lunch in the summer sun, parents and children play, and visitors look over and engage with the river valley.

Promenade—The steps and the funicular descend onto a pedestrian promenade that follows an existing bench, about halfway down the valley slope.

Playful, eye-catching public art is incorporated into a public lawn area.

The art, entitled “Turbulent,” is by Jill Anholt. It reflects the river’s active currents and was commissioned as part of a national public art competition. A boardwalk along the promenade offers a strolling path to a pedestrian bridge above the adjacent roadway.

Pedestrian Bridge and Frederick G. Todd Lookout —A spacious pedestrian bridge, enhanced with wood-clad benches and rest areas, allows people to move above the traffic.

The bridge reconnects an ecosystem severed by the blight of the roadway; traffic disappears from consciousness.

The southern extension of the bridge rises gently, cantilevering out 20m to offer a bird’s-eye perch over the river’s edge. Frederick G. Todd, an early twentieth century landscape architect, is the namesake of the lookout, which offers an immersive, panoramic vantage point in the river valley he helped to protect.

Elevator and Trails —To complete the barrier-free journey to the river valley, a glass elevator and stairs lead down from the lookout to the river valley trails below.

A lower plaza, on the bank next to the water, offers another gathering space, featuring bike parking, benches, and other distinct views of nature.

Restorative Connectivity —Within minutes—or longer, if one lingers along the way—we progress from Edmonton’s vibrant urban core back to nature and to the valley of our elders.

The people of Edmonton are finally reconnected with their river, to their life-giving waters, through an experience that is connected, intuitive and endless.