The $17.8 million reconstruction of the Mission Bridge will begin May 13

To support our downtown and growing city, the City of Calgary is investing to extend the life of our transportation infrastructure, including a $17.8 million investment in the Mission Bridge. This 108-year-old bridge will undergo major repairs starting this week May 13, 2024. Community members expect to see construction crews on site soon. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

Commuters are advised to allow extra travel time and use alternative routes or modes of transport where possible. We actively monitor the impact of construction work on traffic and do our best to minimize disruption to your road by coordinating work between projects, reviewing and changing traffic signal timings.

The Mission Bridge along 4th Street on the south side of the Mission District was originally built in 1915 and last renovated in 1987. Major repairs are now needed to help extend the bridge's lifespan for decades to come. While we make these major repairs, we will improve the bridge for accessibility and safety for pedestrians and cyclists by adding multi-use paths. The bridge will be closed to vehicles for approximately six months during the winter beginning in the fall of 2024.

The following construction schedule of the bridge is planned:

· From May 13, 2024 until the end of summer: The westbound lane over the bridge will be closed. The east side of the bridge will be modified to allow for one lane northbound and one southbound. Cyclists will continue to share the road with motorists, and a pedestrian lane will be maintained on the east side of the bridge. During this time, Lock Island will not be accessible from the west side of the bridge.

· Late summer and fall 2024: the eastbound lane will be closed. During this lane reduction, the west side of the bridge will be modified to allow for one northbound and one southbound lane. As with the spring/summer lane reduction, cyclists will continue to share the road with motorists, and a pedestrian lane will be maintained on the west side of the bridge.

· From autumn 2024 to spring 2025: the bridge is completely closed to cars. Pedestrians and cyclists will still be accommodated, including access to Lock Island.

· Spring 2025: the bridge will be reopened to two-way traffic, and further scheduled lanes will be reduced.

· End of 2025: expected completion of the project.

People traveling through the area are asked to follow posted construction signs for their own safety and that of construction crews.

“We are working hard to minimize the impact on users, area residents and surrounding local businesses,” says Max Lacroix, project manager and senior structural engineer at The City. “Pedestrian and bicyclist access to the bridge will be maintained throughout the project, including when the bridge is closed to vehicles. To minimize the impact of construction during this busy time, we will minimize road closures leading up to the Stampede. Our team is active in the community, carrying out explanatory work for entrepreneurs and residents of the region.

Elbow River rafters can swim under the bridge, but are asked to follow detour signs to help them safely avoid construction sites.

For the latest information on road closures and detours, visit here calgary.ca/trafficinfo. For project updates, visit our project page and subscribe to our Mission Bridge Restoration Newsletter www.calgary.ca/missionbridgerehab.

We thank Calgarians for their patience and understanding as we work to complete this critical infrastructure project.