City of Winnipeg reveals design of what new Arlington Bridge could look like

The Arlington Bridge is over 100 years old, and the city is still working on what its replacement will look like.

A preliminary design report is slated to be done in January, and in the meantime they have shared one idea of what the new bridge could look like.

A video shows a longer bridge that is less steep and closer to the ground. It is also wider and features more pronounced areas for cyclists and pedestrians.

“The bridge will be built to the west of the existing bridge so that the bridge can stay open for the majority of the construction,” explained bridge planner Darren Burmey. “It will be tricky to build, as it is over the active CP rail yards. A great deal of coordination is required, and we’re going to need longer spans for the bridge.”

Dufferin Avenue at the north end of the bridge would be covered by the bridge, a pedestrian underpass being created instead.

The city has launched a branding campaign surrounding the construction called ‘Better Bridge for Arlington.’ They have set up a website to hear the public’s feedback about what to do with surplus land near the bridge and about how to jazz up the bridge when it is built.

“Is it for art studios? Homes? Mixed use development? Recreation?” pondered Councillor Mike Pagtakhan. “What kind of elements do they want to see on the bridge? Lighting? Do they want to see benches or cafes on the bridge? Flowers, planting, landscaping, all those types of things.”

You can offer feedback through community events or through a survey on the city’s website.

The city still hopes to have a new bridge built by 2023 at a cost of roughly $300-million.