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In the 13 months since our last update, progress at the site of the new Walterdale Bridge in Edmonton has been moving along nicely, with much of the major structural work now complete. Spanning the North Saskatchewan River and connecting Rossdale to Strathcona via 105 Street NW, the new Walterdale Bridge will replace the former span of the same name. The original 104-year-old bridge will be demolished following the opening of the new bridge later this year.
Designed by DIALOG, the new Walterdale Bridge will differ from its predecessor in its configuration as an arched suspension bridge, with thrust blocks at each bank that eliminate the need for permanent in-river piers. Despite the bridge's eye-catching signature arch design, there has been a fair amount of public outcry over the decision to forego welding all of the steel joints together to create a smooth, uniform surface along the arch portion, as depicted in the original renderings for the project.
Instead, with the construction company citing a desire to "save workers from having to weld 40 metres in the air," only the bottom portions of the arches on each side will be welded together. The rough metal seams will remain visible throughout the largest middle section of the bridge. In an effort to assuage local concerns over what critics are deriding as a poor excuse to sabotage the original design aesthetic, the company has suggested that once painted, only those walking or biking across the bridge will be able to tell the difference.
Having been delayed several months past its original completion date, current estimates peg the opening for late 2017, with the new bridge up and running by the fall. Set to become an iconic part of the Edmonton skyline, the city's newest piece of infrastructure is being built to last, as the $155 million replacement span is set to serve the city for the next 100 years.
Provisions are being made for both regular and pedestrian/cycling traffic, with a separate footbridge set to go up along the eastern side of the main bridge. The new Walterdale Bridge will serve the needs of a modern city, and its completion will continue Edmonton on its path towards increased urban connectivity and a diversified transportation model. Perfectly smooth or simply functional, the new bridge will be a welcome addition to the local skyline, and a step in the right direction for a city that has been busy reinventing itself for the better part of the last decade.
SkyriseEdmonton will be sure to return to this project as progress continues. For more information, check out the associated Database file and Forum thread, and as always, feel free to join to the conversation in the comments section below.
