CALGARY – Calgarians who use Zoo Road N.E. as part of their commute will have to rethink their drive beginning on Monday.
The road will be closed to traffic starting on March 7 as the City of Calgary completes a flood mitigation project at the Calgary Zoo.
Drivers will still be able to access St. Patrick’s Island and the zoo’s administration building via the 12 Street S.E Bridge until September 2016. However, there will be no access between Zoo Road and Memorial Drive.
The 12 Street Bridge will be replaced with a new structure which the City of Calgary said will be flood resistant and able to accommodate two lanes of traffic. The project, which will be completed by late 2017, will cost an estimated $19 million.
The Calgary Zoo will be open and fully operational throughout construction, however, visitors will have to access the zoo via the north gate.
Eventually, the City of Calgary will also replace the 9 Avenue S.E. Bridge as well. Construction on that project is anticipated to begin in 2018.
– With files from Bindu Suri