EDMONTON- As spring approaches, so too does construction season.
One of the biggest projects getting underway this year is the Walterdale Bridge replacement.
Pre-construction on the project has already started, with crews building access roads that will be used during construction of the new bridge.
“We’re planning on starting construction on the main contracts probably late April to early May this year,” explained Allan Bartman, General Supervisor, Special Projects, Roads Design and Construction at the City of Edmonton.
As that construction gets underway, roads in the area will be closed, forcing commuters to take alternate routes and detours. However, it isn’t just commuters who will be affected.
Located next to the construction site is the Kinsmen Sports Centre. Approximately 1,900 people visit the facility on a daily basis.
“It’s a bit more of a destination facility, so some of our high performance groups, some of the athletes and the people that train here do travel a little bit farther,” explained Brad Badger, the director of the Kinsmen Sports Centre.
One of the main roadways into the facility is Queen Elizabeth Park Road, which city officials anticipate will be shut down for the majority of the construction season this year.
Badger says the Kinsmen has been working very closely with the city in order to make sure access to the facility will not be impacted by the ongoing construction.
“We are maintaining access to the Kinsmen at all times. The road itself is being realigned at the bottom of the hill of both Walterdale and Queen (Elizabeth), so there will be some detours, but there will be access maintained,” said Bartman. “If we’re closing Queen Elizabeth Park Road then the detour route is either Walterdale Hill Road itself or Scona Road, and our plan throughout the project is we’re going to have at least one of those two roads open- either Walterdale Hill Road or Queen (Elizabeth) Park Road- and both roads are supposed to be open during the winters.”
“It’s going to be a little bit different for a while, a little bit inconvenient, but we don’t see it as a major impact to the Kinsmen Sports Centre,” Badger added.
City officials say signage will be clearly posted, so those visiting the Kinsmen are aware of any detours they may have to take.
Badger says he hopes the construction will actually turn into a benefit for the sports centre. One of the problems the centre currently deals with is a lack of parking, especially during major events.
“We see this as a bit of an opportunity,” Badger explained. “What we hope to get out of this, that’s built into the plans, is to get additional parking. So the plan is, when the roadway does move over, that the area to the east of here will get 120 new parking spots.”
Kinsmen’s main sign will also have to be removed in order to make way for construction. Badger hopes an upgraded sign will be the result of the move. The project isn’t funded yet, but it’s something those at the Kinsmen are looking forward to during this time of inconvenience.
Bridge construction is expected to be complete by fall 2015.
With files from Shannon Greer.
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