Banff’s newest pedestrian bridge, which caused considerable debate in the community when it was proposed, has been open for two months and is seeing encouraging use by pedestrians and cyclists.
Town council received an update on the bridge’s usage at its August meeting. Engineering co-ordinator Brennan David said pedestrian usage numbers so far this summer were recorded using an infrared trail counter.
The total weekday peak volume movement on the bridge per hour was 763, while on weekends it was 669. The average volume per hour on weekdays was 131 and on weekends 150.
While some expected the new bridge to decrease use of the primary Bow River bridge, peak and average volume numbers for that bridge have not gone down significantly since the new one opened on July 2.
“These are great numbers on the new bridge, but the numbers on the old bridge haven’t gone down so much,” said Councillor Leslie Taylor. “So we have what I assume is a net of new people moving on bikes and feet.
“The numbers look very good and I continue to be so impressed with the feedback I continue to get about the bridge and how excited people are.”
Coun. Paul Baxter inquired whether or not staff have seen an increase in criminal activity on and near the bridge, which was a cause for concern for those in the neighbourhood who opposed the project.
“There was a section of our community who thought it would be a crime-ridden drug neighbourhood – do we have any reports of that?” Baxter asked.
Brennan said one nearby resident has provided feedback there were only two evenings this summer with an unacceptable amount of sound from the bridge.
Council also asked about padlocks put on the bridge, which appeared soon after it was opened.
Brennan said as quickly as people place locks on the bridge, which are meant to symbolize the love of a couple, they are removed. When it came to graffiti, he added, the municipality has ordered material to remove graffiti and coat the bridge surface afterwards.
“We are hoping to get everything off with these products and coat everything with an anti-graffiti coating, so the next time it happens we can remove it easier,” he said.
