EAB hits the brakes on ring road overpass

Critics charge bridge would increase flood risk

Less than 24 hours after its approval, construction of a contentious ring road overpass has been put on hold

The 11th-hour stay issued Saturday by Alberta’s Environmental Appeals Board (EAB) puts the brakes on the project’s Elbow River bridge — one that opponents say will irreparably damage adjacent wetlands and pose significant effects downstream.

It’s a cautious victory for those opposed to the river crossing’s current design — a nearly kilometre-long earthen berm spanning the width of the valley, with the river diverted through a bridged 150-metre gap.

Aside from the effect on local wildlife, critics fear such a crossing would dangerously constrict the river — increasing the flood risk and degrading downstream water quality.

“Our biggest concern is that they’re filling in 24 wetlands, which is the best defence we have for flood mitigation,” said Allie Tulick of YYC Cares, a group urging changes to the bridge design.

“We’re happy the EAB is giving us an opportunity to present our case.”

An email, obtained by Postmedia, was sent by the EAB Saturday morning to concerned parties ahead of the stay’s formal announcement.

Opponents want an open-span design for the bridge, one they say is a better option for the environmentally-sensitive area.

“It’s a way more eco-friendly option and it’s something they’ve done before,” Tulick said, referring to the Stoney Trail bridge over the Bow River between Nose Hill Drive and the road’s current terminus at the Trans-Canada Highway.

Construction began earlier this year on the $1.4-billion Tsuut’ina Trail project, one of the final links in the city’s ring road.

Running between Glenmore Trail and Highway 22X, the 31-kilometre divided freeway will include 14 interchanges, 49 bridges and three river crossings.

The project became a reality after a 2013 land deal between the Tsuut’ina First Nation and the former Progressive Conservative government.

In Saturday’s email, EAB settlement officer Gilbert Van Nes said the temporary stay was issued to allow the board to fully consider the appeal application submitted earlier this summer by resident Jeffrey Brookman.

“The issuance of the stay is based on the board’s view that the fillingin of the wetlands as authorized under the approval will be irreparable for all practical purposes,” the email reads.

In an emailed statement sent to Postmedia, a spokesperson for Transport Minister Brian Mason said the provincial government “is committed to ensuring this project meets environmental standards and we respect the process. This is part of the process.”

They also confirmed an environmental impact assessment on the bridge project was carried out as part of the entire southwest ring road project.