Walterdale Bridge
Walterdale Bridge | |
|---|---|
.jpg) The new Walterdale Bridge nearing completion in August 2017 | |
| Coordinates | 53°31′43″N 113°30′07″W / 53.5286°N 113.502°W |
| Carries | 105 Street northbound, pedestrian walkways |
| Crosses | North Saskatchewan River |
| Locale | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
| Official name | Walterdale Bridge |
| Named for | John Walter |
| Maintained by | City of Edmonton |
| Characteristics | |
| Total length | 230 m (750 ft)[1] |
| History | |
| Opened | September 29, 2017 |
| Location | |
 | |
(Previous) Walterdale Bridge | |
|---|---|
 The old Walterdale Bridge in 2007 | |
| Coordinates | 53°31′43″N 113°30′07″W / 53.5286°N 113.502°W |
| Carries | 105 Street northbound, pedestrian walkway |
| Crosses | North Saskatchewan River |
| Locale | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
| Official name | Walterdale Bridge (1967–2017) |
| Other name(s) |
|
| Named for | John Walter |
| Maintained by | City of Edmonton |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Steel truss with steel grating deck |
| Total length | 214.2 m (703 ft) |
| History | |
| Opened | 1913 |
| Closed | 2017 |
| Replaced by | New Walterdale Bridge |
| Location | |
| |
The Walterdale Bridge is a through arch bridge across the North Saskatchewan River in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It replaced the previous Walterdale Bridge in 2017. The new bridge has three lanes for northbound vehicular traffic and improved pedestrian and cyclist crossings.
Old Walterdale Bridge (1913–2017)
The previous Walterdale Bridge (formerly called the 105 Street Bridge, renamed in 1967)[2] was a steel grating-decked truss bridge that spanned the North Saskatchewan River in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It was built in 1913 by the Dominion Bridge Company and was named after John Walter, an early settler who ran a ferry at this approximate location.[3] The neighbourhood Walterdale at this location was also named after John Walter.[4]
Demolition of the 1913 bridge began in October 2017 after the decking, sidewalks, and utilities had been removed, and was completed by the end of that year.[5]
Replacement bridge (2017–Present)
Planning for the replacement of the 1913 Walterdale Bridge began over a decade before construction on the new bridge started. In 2001, an Edmonton City Council committee rejected a $190-million proposal for a tunnel under Saskatchewan Drive to directly connect the new bridge to Gateway Drive.[6] Planners considered both a four-lane one-way bridge and a five-lane bridge with a single southbound lane to connect the area to Kinsmen park.[6]
Construction began on a replacement bridge in early 2013 and was scheduled to be completed in late 2015; however, it did not open (two lanes only) until September 18, 2017. The contractor faced over $10 million in penalties for the delay. The new bridge has three lanes for northbound vehicular traffic and improved pedestrian and cyclist crossings. The old bridge was demolished and removed. Roadway and trail links north and south of the bridge were partially complete, and the pedestrian access and all lanes opened on September 29, 2017.[7]
The new bridge is located east of the original bridge, and is supported by concrete thrust blocks on the banks of the river, eliminating the need for piers. The arches are 56 m (184 ft) tall.[8]
Gallery
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Walterdale Bridge, 1977 -
Old Walterdale Bridge with early work for new one barely visible on the banks, March 2013. -
The replacement bridge under construction, photo from direction of water, May 2016. -
Cranes and nearly finished structure of new bridge with surroundings
(September 7, 2016). -
Old and new Walterdale bridges. May 25, 2017
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See also
References
- ^ Walterdale Bridge - The archway. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
- ^ Edmonton Historical Board, City of Edmonton (2004). Naming Edmonton: From Ada to Zoie. University of Alberta Press. p. 327. ISBN 0-88864-423-X.
- ^ Ivany, Kathryn (2004). Historic Walks of Edmonton. Red Deer Press, Calgary. pp. 25–31. ISBN 0889952981.
- ^ "John Walter Historic Area". Parks Canada. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
- ^ Kornik, Slav; Ramsey, Caley (October 20, 2017). "Piece of Edmonton history ends with demolition of old Walterdale Bridge". Global News. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
- ^ a b Zabjek, Alexandra (April 8, 2009). "Walterdale Bridge to be rebuilt under simplified plan". Edmonton Journal. p. B3. ProQuest 2403917139.
- ^ Kornik, Slav (September 29, 2017). "Edmonton pedestrians can now use new Walterdale Bridge". Global News. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
- ^ "Walterdale Bridge Features :: City of Edmonton". City of Edmonton. Archived from the original on July 6, 2014. Retrieved October 19, 2015.