To support our downtown and our growing city, The City of Calgary is investing in extending the lifespan of our transportation infrastructure, including a $17.8 million investment in the Mission Bridge. This 108-year-old bridge will be undergoing a major rehabilitation starting the week of May 13, 2024. Community members can expect to see construction crews on site shortly. Construction is anticipated to be complete by the end of 2025.
Commuters are advised to allow extra travel time and use alternate routes or modes of transportation when possible. We actively monitor the impact of construction activities on traffic and make every effort to minimize disruptions to your commute by coordinating work between projects, reviewing and changing traffic signal timings.
The Mission Bridge, along 4 Street S.W. at the south end of the Mission District, was originally built in 1915 and was last upgraded in 1987. Major rehabilitation is needed now to help extend the bridge’s lifespan for additional decades to come. While we are conducting this critical repair work, we will also be improving the bridge for pedestrian and cyclist accessibility and safety by adding multi-use pathways. The bridge will be closed to motor vehicles for about six months over the winter, beginning in Fall 2024.
The following construction schedule is planned for the bridge:
· May 13 through Late Summer 2024: the west lane across the bridge will be closed. The east side of the bridge will be modified to allow one north and one southbound lane. Cyclists will continue to share the road with motorists while pedestrian access will be maintained on the east side of the bridge. During this time, access to Elbow Island from the west side of the bridge will not be possible.
· Late Summer through Fall 2024: the east side lane will be closed. During this lane reduction, the west side of the bridge will be modified to allow one north and one southbound lane. As with the Spring/Summer lane reduction, cyclists will continue to share the road with motorists while pedestrian access will be maintained on the west side of the bridge.
· Fall 2024 through Spring 2025: the bridge will fully be closed to motor vehicles. Pedestrians and cyclists will still be accommodated, including access to Elbow Island.
· Spring 2025: the bridge will reopen to two-way traffic with further planned lane reductions.
· Late 2025: anticipated project completion.
People travelling through the area are asked to follow posted construction signage for their safety and that of construction crews.
“We’re working hard to minimize impacts to bridge users, area residents and surrounding local businesses,” says Max Lacroix, Project Manager and Senior Structural Engineer with The City. “Access across the bridge for pedestrians and cyclists will be maintained during the entire project, including when the bridge is closed to motor vehicles. We are minimizing road closures before Stampede to reduce construction impacts during this busy time. Our team remains active in the community, conducting outreach to area businesses and residents.”
People rafting on the Elbow River will be able to float under the bridge but are asked to follow posted detour signs which will help them to safely avoid construction areas.
For up-to-date information on road closures and detours, visit calgary.ca/trafficinfo. For project updates, visit our project page and subscribe to our Mission Bridge Rehabilitation newsletter at www.calgary.ca/missionbridgerehab.
We thank Calgarians for their patience and understanding as we work to complete this important infrastructure project.
