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1. Where will the bridge be located?

The west end of the bridge approach will connect to the Arena Road roundabout in front of the SLS Family Sports Center and cross to the other side of the river.

2. How was the location of the new bridge decided?

The location for the bridge is based on the shape of the river, significant grade and topographical variances, and suitable road alignment with the new Griffin Road and James Walker Trail alignment. The Town’s 2006 Transportation Plan included the new bridge across the Bow River and arterial road connections on both sides. Other bridge locations would be significantly more expensive due to the additional length of the road required and the span required to cross the Bow River.

This location also provides direct connectivity to the SLS Family Sports Center and Cochrane’s downtown for car, bike, pedestrian and possibly transit from the communities south of the Bow River.

3. Does the new bridge mean changes to the off-leash area?

The off-leash area and the multi-use pathway in Jim Uffelmann Memorial Park will be left largely intact; however, a portion of the off-leash area and multi-use pathway will be closed to the public during construction. There is a detour for the multi-use pathway to maintain connectivity. Closure Map

There are some decisions still to be made regarding pathway alignments and facilities; however, the bridge has been designed to minimize the impact to the multi-use pathway and river access of the off-leash area. An amenity space with benches and tables beneath the bridge is also being planned.

Once construction is completed the temporary parking area established during the Griffin Road realignment will be permanently re-located to the PCL site trailer office pad for park users.

4. How do we know the environment is being protected during construction?

Bridge construction is being conducted under authorization from Alberta Environment and Parks as well as Fisheries and Oceans Canada who have reviewed our construction plan. As part of these approvals, the Town is taking a number of measures to ensure that the harm to the river and fishery is minimized. Where the harm cannot be eliminated we are providing offsetting measures, under the review of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, as compensation.

5. How long has the Town been planning for this new bridge?

Plans and draft locations were evaluated as far back as 2002, and are based on functional studies that determined the most efficient alignment and greatest utility for both ends of the proposed bridge. Current and future land uses, roadway length and grades, bridge span, floodways, impacts to adjacent properties, and users all played a role in choosing the crossing location.

6. What happens next?

The Town has awarded the role of General Contractor to PCL Construction Management and construction of the bridge approach embankment commenced on August 13, 2018. A separate RFP will be issued for the construction contractor for the James Walker Trail roadway in late early 2019. The in-river works are planned to be finished in mid-September.

The Town is requesting public input for some aesthetic aspects and the naming of the bridge. More information is available on letstalkcochrane.ca

7. When will the new bridge be ready to use and what will it connect to?

The initial phase of work sees a new, two-lane James Walker Trail corridor and bridge connecting Griffin Road at the Arena Road roundabout to Riviera Way in Riversong. The Town anticipates the bridge and the new James Walker Trail will be open to the public by end of 2020.

In addition to the roadway itself, the construction also includes a new separated multi-use pathway and on-road bike lanes that cross the river on the bridge. The new pathway and bike lanes will be connected to the existing pathway and bike lane systems.

The extension of James Walker Trail from Riviera Way through to Highway 22 will be constructed later, depending on the timing of the South Bow development.