Bridgeland-Riverside Multimodal Pedestrian Bridge
Bridgeland-Riverside Multimodal Pedestrian Bridge Project
In partnership with the Calgary General Hospital Legacy Fund Review Committee, we are working on designs for a new multimodal Bridgeland-Riverside Pedestrian Bridge. The project consists of two new bridges:
- A new bridge that will replace the existing bridge that crosses Memorial Drive and connects the community to the Bridgeland-Memorial LRT Station and the pathway on the north bank of the Bow River.
- A new bridge from the north bank over the Bow River to St. Patrick’s Island.
Project update – June 2025
We now have a proposed design that is undergoing our review process and will be recommended to the Calgary Planning Commission in July 2025. The proposed bridge infrastructure has been reviewed by the Access Design Subcommittee and the Urban Design Review Panel and Office of Urban Design.
At this time, there is only enough funding for Stage 1 construction. Additional funding is required to complete Stage 2 construction which will be requested during the 2027-2030 service cycle. The LRT station will remain in service during construction.
Multimodal pedestrian bridge
The new bridges will be multimodal pedestrian bridges. This means they will be designed for pedestrians, wheelchairs, cyclists, scooters, and other micromobility devices but not road vehicles such as cars and motorcycles.
About the project
The new Bridgeland-Riverside Multimodal Pedestrian Bridge project will be designed to connect the community to the Bridgeland-Memorial LRT Station, the pathway on the north bank of the Bow River, and St. Patrick’s Island. The new bridges will provide better access and improved safety for the Bridgeland-Riverside community, as well as all Calgarians.
The project is divided into two stages of construction:
- Stage 1: Construction of the new bridge from the north bank over the Bow River to St. Patrick’s Island. (green in map image)
- Stage 2: Replacement of the existing bridge that connects the Bridgeland-Riverside community to the Bridgeland-Memorial LRT Station and pathway on the north bank of the Bow River. (orange in map image)
Rendering of proposed Stage 1 construction of new bridge from north bank over the Bow River to St. Patrick’s Island. Looking north from St. Patrick’s Island.
Rendering of proposed Stage 1 construction of new south plaza. Looking east from north bank.
Rendering of proposed Stage 1 construction of new south ramp and separated walking and wheeling pathways. Looking west from north bank.
Rendering of proposed Stage 1 construction of new bridge from north bank over the Bow River to St. Patrick’s Island. Looking south from north bank.
Timeline
The project team continued interested party engagement and completed preliminary design. Detailed design, regulatory applications, and development of the procurement package for Stage 1 construction are ongoing.
Council approved additional funding from the fund reserve to support further development of the project. Bridge options were developed.
The City engaged a consultant team to develop a conceptual design and administered the first round of interested party engagement. An optimized alignment was selected.
A feasibility study administered by the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation established the project goals and design principles and a recommended alignment.
The community association applied to have the fund sponsor the feasibility study for the project citing their desire to be better connected to nature and surrounding amenities. The initiative was supported by the fund committee as a “healthy Calgary initiative” with the potential to increase access and ease of travel for sustainable transportation.
The Calgary General Hospital Legacy Fund was established based on the proceeds from the sales and leases of the Calgary General Hospital and Bow Valley Centre lands. The fund’s intent is to support “healthy Calgary initiatives”.
Background
In 2020, the Bridgeland Riverside Community Association requested studies for a new bridge that would more directly connect the community to St. Patrick’s Island. The Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) completed the feasibility study and shared the results with the Calgary General Hospital Legacy Fund Review Committee and Executive Committee in 2021. As a result of the studies, the Committees agreed The City should proceed with developing preliminary designs for a new bridge.
The Bridgeland-Riverside community was consulted through online engagement in October and November 2022. The community was asked a series of questions about how it uses the existing pedestrian bridge over Memorial Drive and what its priorities are for a new bridge. The Calgary General Hospital Legacy Fund Review Committee reviewed the community feedback and agreed there is a need for a new bridge to connect more directly to St. Patrick’s Island.
The Calgary General Hospital Legacy Fund
The Calgary General Hospital Legacy Fund was created in 1997 and uses the annual investment return on net proceeds from the sales and/or leases of the former Calgary General Hospital and Bow Valley Centre lands (BVC Lands).
The Calgary General Hospital Legacy Fund Review Committee chose to fund this project because it is a healthy initiative that will encourage active modes of transportation and help connect the community to the Bow River and St. Patrick's Island.
Design
The new bridge design is being guided by the following principles established as part of the feasibility study:
- Accessibility and Safety: Improve accessibility and safety between the community, Bridgeland-Memorial LRT Station, and surrounding amenities.
- Community Building, Placemaking, and Economic Benefit: Create a connection between the community, the Bridgeland-Memorial LRT Station, and St. Patrick’s Island that celebrates its unique location and provides access to more pathways, parks, and amenities. Re-establish the connection between the community and the Bow River focused on resilience, community experience, and wellbeing.
- Sustainability and Reducing Environmental Impact: Support sustainable transportation and design for climate change. Incorporate durable, low maintenance materials and native, hardy landscaping. Reduce footprint and disruption of existing natural areas.
- Implementation and Constructability: Maintain access to the community and Bridgeland-Memorial LRT Station throughout construction.
Budget
The Calgary General Hospital Legacy Fund has committed approximately $17M to support the project.