CALGARY – Calgarians are getting their first look at plans to replace a historic city bridge located near the Calgary Zoo.
The 12 Street S.E. bridge spans the Bow River on the south side of St. George’s Island.
Built in 1908, the bridge was originally designed to carry a horse and buggy and is quite narrow.
Officials with the City of Calgary say on their website that the bridge has “outlasted its original lifespan” and needs to be replaced because of its “deteriorated physical condition.”
“The bridge’s narrowness also means it cannot accommodate emergency or transit vehicles, plus the truss structure creates a height limitation,” adds the site.
On Wednesday, the city unveiled the design concept for the replacement bridge at an information session in southeast Calgary.
The new bridge will provide two lanes for vehicle traffic, as well as room for pedestrians and cyclists. Construction is slated to begin in 2016.
Some residents attending the meeting brought up concerns about the impact construction will have on surrounding communities.
“The commutes are going to be really badly affected and the construction process is going to be extremely loud,” said Inglewood resident Cheyanne Church. “We’ve been told it’s seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., we’ll have loud and disruptive noise.”
The budget for the project is $19 million.
Construction is expected to be completed in the winter of 2017.
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