Mission Bridge Rehabilitation
Project update - July 2024
Construction: Utilities & Signals Work
- On July 15, following Stampede, retaining wall and adjacent pathway work will begin on the retaining wall and pathway running along the Elbow River. To enable this work, both the eastbound Elbow Drive curb lane and the Elbow River Pathway will be closed. Detour signs will be posted to help people walking or wheeling in the area to take alternate routes.
- Trucks and buses will not be able to make northbound left turns at Elbow Drive; detour signs will be posted to redirect them to make the northbound left turn on 25 Avenue S.W.
Mission Road milling and paving prep work (Starting late July)
In preparation for milling and paving of Mission Road, some prep work in the form of pouring concrete for curbs and gutters will happen.
- Mission Road milling (Starting August 1 to 8)
- Milling of Mission Road from 30 Avenue to Macleod Trail is planned to happen after the curb installation. A nighttime full closure of Mission Road between 30 Avenue S.W. and Macleod Trail S.W. will be required; access for local residents only will be in place during this closure.
- Mission Road paving (Starting August 9 to 16)
- Paving of Mission Road will follow milling, from 30 Avenue to Macleod Trail. The nighttime full closure of Mission Road between 30 Avenue S.W. and Macleod Trail S.W. will be required for the paving work; access for local residents only will be in place during this closure.
Beginning mid-August, Mission Bridge Rehabilitation Phase Two begins.
- This involves switching the lane closure on Mission Bridge from the west lane to the east lane. Two-way traffic will still be able to travel across the bridge using the west lanes; pedestrians will have access on the east side pathway. At this time, access to Elbow Island will also be reopened.
- ENMAX will be mobilizing on site at the north intersection including closing both lanes on 26 Avenue S.W. Their scope of work includes repairs to the manhole located on the north end of the work area. A new duct bank (a collection of buried electric utilities protected by concrete encasement) will also be installed to interface with the bridge work; it's expected this work will take about eight weeks. ENMAX has confirmed the signals at the north intersection will not experience power cuts or disruption while this work is occurring.
- Elbow Island will reopen as phase two gets under way.
Next Stages
- A full bridge closure is planned for mid-Fall 2024, including some sidewalk reductions.
- People cycling through the area may need to dismount to cross the bridge.
Updates will continue to be posted here so be sure to check back regularly. While construction is ongoing, we ask and thank you for your ongoing patience as crews work hard to rehabilitate this historic bridge.
About the project
Mission Bridge is a vital connection for walking, driving or wheeling in the Mission District. The bridge was built in 1886 and was the first bridge spanning the Elbow River; it opened to traffic in 1915, making it one of Calgary’s oldest bridges. This three-lane bridge spans the Elbow River and connects the communities of Roxboro and Rideau to the Mission District. We’re restoring the Mission Bridge so that its life is extended by about 35 years; part of this restoration includes mobility upgrades for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. The improvements are necessary to ensure the bridge continues to be safe, functional and in good condition for everyone to use. Lighting enhancements, multi-use pathways and traffic signal improvements are some of the improvements this project will bring.
Did you Know: History Moment
Mission Bridge was made of wood and originally built in 1887. It was a vital connection between an established Catholic Mission which was in the present-day location of the Holy Cross Hospital. While the original wooden bridge was located a few blocks south of its current location, it only lasted about 10 years before it needed to be replaced.
When it was replaced, it was rebuilt using steel trusses.
Mission Bridge was replaced again in 1912! A plan to upgrade three "major bridges" in Calgary meant the bridge was rebuilt yet again, this time as a concrete structure. This makes it one of the oldest concrete bridges still standing in Alberta today.
Mission Bridge has survived several floods. When it was rebuilt in 1915, there was a flood which caused delays and sadly, the death of a worker. During the 2013 flood, it was fully submerged in water from the Elbow River.
The bridge has a storied history and has served Calgarians for over 135 years by creating a connection over the Elbow River.
This bridge has served our city and its people well for over a hundred years – and we're extending the life of Mission Bridge by another 35 years with our rehabilitation project so that this iconic bridge can continue to bring Calgarians across the river in the Mission district.
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: May 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?
- 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.
What is going to happen to Elbow Island?
Elbow Island access will be closed over a portion of the summer as work is ongoing. The west sidewalks of the bridge will be closed during this stage of construction. Rafters/floaters on the river over the summer months will be redirected to one side of the Elbow River based on the work being done. Rafters/floaters are asked to follow posted construction signage along the river for their safety and that of construction crews.
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.
What are you doing about tree removal and replacement for construction work?
We had to remove some trees in preparation of the retaining wall work but we have a plan to restore habitat once construction is complete.
What are some of the benefits of this work once construction is done?
This redesign of Mission Bridge was based on feedback from public engagement done in 2022. Your thoughts and ideas gathered from this process played a big part in the new design which will feature wider sidewalks, improved pathways and connections, uniform traffic lane widths, better bridge aesthetics and lighting upgrades.
What is the project budget?
The project budget is $17.8M.
How can I stay informed while construction is ongoing?
Look for the project team who will be out and about through spring 2024 on pathways by the bridge and in the community. If you see the team, feel free to come over and ask questions. You can also sign up for our project newsletter. Be sure to keep an eye out for our booth at the Lilac Festival on June 2!
Will construction impact street parking?
Due to the nature of work, you may occasionally see project vehicles parked for a short time on the street in a residential area. This is generally rare and not for long periods of time.