Preparations for the construction of the new Chinook Centre pedestrian bridge begin on Monday.
The $13 million project will cross over MacLeod Trail at 61 Avenue S.W., creating a safe and convenient way for shoppers to cross the busy roadway when heading to or from the Chinook CTrain Station.
The City of Calgary also hopes the new overpass will decrease traffic congestion in the area, which is hampered by pedestrian traffic.
“61 Avenue S.W. between Centre Street and Macleod Trail is considered one of the busiest pedestrian corridors outside of the downtown core and currently supports pedestrian traffic beyond its designed capabilities,” the city said on its website.
Construction on the bridge doesn’t start until September, but signal relocation work and lane closures go into place on Monday.
The bridge is being paid for in part by Cadillac Fairview, the owners of Chinook Centre. The City of Calgary will pay $6.5 million for the public pedestrian bridge, while Cadillac Fairview will contribute another $6.5 million to extend the bridge to connect directly to the second level of the shopping centre.
Construction on the bridge should be completed by late 2017.
With files from Doug Vaessen and Danis Ram
Comments