Banff’s new $6.8 million pedestrian bridge across the Bow River has been opened three months ahead of schedule – and on budget.
The new bridge, which crosses the river from Muskrat Street to Glen Avenue, opened to the public Tuesday (July 2), a week later than initially planned because of flooding waters in the mountains.
Officials say the bridge was built to withstand the so-called 100-year flood event. Peak flows of the Bow River through Banff during the height of the flooding smashed the previous record set in 1923.
“We’ve had an unbelievable 12 days and it culminates right here, with this joyous and happy event,” said Mayor Karen Sorensen at Tuesday’s ceremony to mark the bridge’s opening.
The new pedestrian bridge, which has been controversial with some residents, also has pipes slung beneath it, carrying sanitary waste from the north side of town to the wastewater treatment plant.
The approved budget for the project was $6.8 million. Combining the bridge with the sanitary project saved about $2 million on the total of the two budgets.
With its 113-metre length, including 80-metre central span, the bridge designed by Structure Craft is said to be among the longest timber bridges in the world. The glulam beams are among the largest installed in North America.
The Banff Seniors’ walking club and children from Banff’s daycare were the first across the new bridge.
“I think it’s wonderful and the views all around are wonderful,” said Dorothy Carleton, a well-known Banffite since the 1940s, who came to Canada from England as a war bride to live the life of a park warden’s wife.
“It’s such a beautiful walk and we can go along the river and right to the bridge where we can have a rest.”
Tourist Doug Shular, who is visiting from South Hampton, Ont., was very impressed with the bridge.
“It’s looks good and overlooks the river and the mountains,” he said. “It’s fantastic.”
Celebrated landscape architect and planner Thomas Mawson envisioned five pedestrian bridges in Banff in his 1914 report, while architect and urban planner H. Peter Oberlander proposed a bridge in this location in 1961.
Mayor Sorensen said her fellow council members stood firm in their belief the pedestrian bridge in this location at this time was best for the entire community. She thanked everyone involved in getting the bridge finished.
“We feel very honoured to be the mayor and council in office at this time to see the fulfillment of this vision by our pioneers and forefathers,” said Sorensen. “Everyone worked really hard to get this bridge open by summer.”
