The possibility of ever getting a pedestrian underpass across Fort Saskatchewan’s highway corridor got a little more remote this week.

City Council agreed to remove the pedestrian underpass from a new offsite levy bylaw that would have seen new homes pay part of that cost.

Local developers objected to the underpass in particular, saying it was unnecessary and it would be unfair to put this cost onto new homes.

Developer representative Andrew Usenik noted first that the underpass project does not yet have a complete design or sufficient cost estimate to legally be included in the offsite levy. But he went on to say a pedestrian underpass is unnecessary in any case.

Those using the highway intersections are primarily in vehicles and would “take a car anyway regardless of distance.” Those riding bicycles or walking at these intersections are confidents cyclists and walkers “willing to go anywhere.”

Council did not remove the underpasses entirely, but several members agreed with Usenik.

“I just have not been a fan of the pedestrian underpass,” said Mayor Gale Katchur. “I see the underpass as more of a hazard.”

Councillor Gordon Harris disagreed, however. “I have no problem with the underpasses. I think they can be engineered quite well.”

Harris agree to remove the underpass costs from the offsite levy bylaw, however.

Councillor Birgit Blizzard and Councillor Lisa Makin voted to keep the underpass in the offsite levy bylaw, but were out-voted.

“The pedestrian underpass, the aquatic centre and the new fire hall are all needed because of growth,” Blizzard said.

Offsite levies are charged to new homes to help pay for new roads, water lines, intersections and other services needed when the community expands. This new bylaw will see new homes pay part of the cost of the new fire hall and the new pool as well as new roads and intersections.

Fort Saskatchewan officials have proposed building at least two pedestrian underpasses across the highway corridor. The first is to be build west of the Highway 15/21 intersection at a cost of some $3.39 million. This is intended to be part of the highway widening project between 101 Street and Highway 21/15 intersection. That project, first included in the 2022 budget, was put on hold again this spring.

A pedestrian underpass has been discussed by City Council since at least 2008. An underpass is needed rather than an overpassed because the highway corridor is required to allow large loads to pass.