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Five wooden pedestrian bridges in Mill Creek Ravine are set to undergo major rehabilitation following an assessment of the south central trail system's condition, which found extensive rot and decay throughout the structures. Work on the bridges — bounded by 76 Avenue to the north, 89 Street to the east, and 91 Street to the west — is scheduled to begin in the summer and complete by the end of 2018.
Three of the structures are trestle bridges, which are located on the higher trails, while the remaining two are made of glulam, and situated on the lower trails. The trestle bridges were originally constructed in 1902 as part of the Edmonton, Yukon and Pacific Railway, which was established to connect the Calgary and Edmonton Railway to the Canadian Northern Railway. The 12-kilometre line was dubbed "the shortest railway with the longest name." With the railway decommissioned in 1958, the bridges were converted for pedestrian use after the City acquired ownership in the 1970s.
After a community survey elicited overwhelming public affinity for the trestle bridges, with a resounding 87 percent of respondents feeling they have historic value, crews will be making efforts to ensure the existing character and look of the trestle bridges is preserved. One trestle bridge (B029) will be replaced — matching the existing structure with an alternate style handrail and a widened deck — while the other two (B032 and B033) will be repaired. The glulam bridges will also be removed and replaced with compressed wooden structures.
City staff are hosting an information session on Tuesday, July 11 to update the public about the project, including the scope of work, trail impacts, and the construction timetable. The meeting will take place at the King Edward Park Community League Hall (7708 85 Street NW) from 5 to 8 PM.
