Mission Bridge Rehabilitation
Project update - February 2024
Traffic Signal Improvements
Traffic signals improvement work is anticipated to begin on February 20, 2024 and be completed by March 23, 2024 at the 26th Avenue and 4th Street S.W. intersection. Work is planned between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. 7 days per week, and requires alternating 24-hour road closures, pedestrian detours, and two-way traffic accommodations to coordinate the scope of work. Refer to detour images below:
Elbow Drive and 4th Street - West side closure
26 Avenue and 4th Street - East side closure
Retaining Wall Repairs
Initial preparation for the retaining wall scope is anticipated to start in February/March of 2024 when crews will remove a few trees and vegetation in front of the retaining wall adjacent to Elbow Drive, close to 4th Street S.W. This tree removal is necessary to give workers the access needed for the retaining wall rehabilitation scope anticipated to start later this spring/summer. We will ensure to preserve as many trees as possible throughout construction including a few bigger trees and we also have a habitat restoration plan in place for the area once the work is complete.
A portion of the pathway and sidewalk on the South side of elbow drive will be closed and to maintain safety, those walking and wheeling will be detoured to cross the street to use the north sidewalk.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and we thank you for your patience through this important work.
About the project
Mission Bridge, located at the south end of the Mission District at the intersection of Elbow Drive and 4 Street S.W., connects the neighbourhoods of Roxboro and Rideau Park. The narrow, three-lane bridge was opened to traffic in 1915 and consists of four concrete arches spanning over the Elbow River. Mission Bridge last underwent a major rehabilitation in 1987 and is now in need of upgrading. We are planning this rehabilitation to start in 2024 in hopes of extending the life of the bridge and making it more user-friendly for all modes of transportation.
The main objectives of the project are to extend the service life of the bridge by 35 years, and to improve the overall mobility for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.
Scope of work
The rehabilitation work on the bridge structure will include:
- general concrete repairs
- construction of a multi-use pathway on the east and west sides of the bridge
- life-cycling of signals at the north intersection of the bridge
- redesign of the three traffic lanes and an overall improvement of the connections at the north and south ends of the bridge
- repairs to the retaining wall and sidewalk located northwest of the bridge following the Elbow River
Benefits
The project benefits include:
- improving the condition of the bridge and extending its service life by approximately 35 years
- upgrading overall mobility for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists
- enhancing lighting to improve visibility and accessibility
- promoting use of alternative and active modes of transportation by building multi-use pathways on the east and west sides of the bridge
- improving traffic signals at the north end of the bridge
- improving one critical link in the transportation network to accommodate opportunities for Calgary's continued growth in the coming years
Photos of current conditions
Project timeline
- Design: Complete - 2023
- Request for Proposal (RFP):
Jan. – Mar. (Q1) 2024 - Construction start: Spring 2024
- Substantial completion: Winter 2025
Construction activities are dependent on several factors. Timelines may change due to inclement weather, complexity, supply chain, and/or other unexpected circumstances.
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Contact us
Have questions or want to learn more about the projects? Contact the project team at: missionbridgerehab@Calgary.ca
Frequently asked questions
Why is the Mission Bridge in need of repair?
A routine inspection identified structural elements of the bridge that require repair to extend the structure’s service-life by approximately 35 years. No major repair work has been done for over 35 years.
Ongoing regular maintenance along with timely major rehabilitations are critical to keeping bridges safe and reliable while minimizing future expenditures and extending the service life of this type of structure. The project should greatly improve one critical link in the Transportation network and accommodate opportunities for Calgary's continued growth in the coming decades. Rehabilitation of bridges also supports good movement and universal access.
Are you removing the sidewalks?
No, we plan to improve sidewalks on the east and west sides of the bridge by building multi-use pathways.
What are the traffic impacts during construction?
Construction impacts will be finalized and shared once a contractor is awarded in the first quarter of 2024.
Will there still be three traffic lanes for motor vehicles once construction is finished?
Yes, the number of motor vehicle traffic lanes will remain the same (two northbound and one southbound) once construction is completed; although, the width of all lanes will be consistent and improve mobility.