New Jaipur Bridge plan seen as ‘vast improvement’
A new design for the Jaipur Bridge got a better reception on Thursday after the Calgary planning commission sent city staff back to the drawing board last year.
The pedestrian connection to Prince’s Island Park was built in 1968, and it’s described as being in “poor condition.” It’s being replaced as part of several projects in Eau Claire, including a flood barrier and redevelopment of the Eau Claire Plaza.
When the city first unveiled renderings for a redesign in October, council members and the public said it looked “overbuilt” or even downright ugly.
Commission member James Scott said Thursday that the latest design is a “vast improvement” compared to the previous idea.
The city is now suggesting a three-span bridge that’s designed with light railings to help people see the surrounding park and river views. The width of the bridge will nearly double to six metres, and it will also be raised by about a metre to better withstand flooding.
Lourdes Juan, a citizen member of the planning commission, said the design is “dramatically different” from the early effort.
“It’s such an important piece, and such an important part of that part of the city,” she said, praising the design for how it “gently disappears” into the landscape.
Coun. Evan Woolley said he’s happy to see more attention paid to an area that’s an important gathering place for Calgarians.
“There are particular spaces in this city — and this is a particular one — where beautiful needs to be put forward,” he said.
Construction on the bridge is expected to start in early 2021 and wrap up by 2023.