Spring teardown for bridge near zoo
Deterioration forces demolition to go ahead earlier than planned
The quickly deteriorating steel bridge near the Calgary Zoo has the city fast-tracking plans to tear down the structure.
Original plans were to keep the bridge connecting St. George’s Island to Inglewood open for pedestrian use during construction of a new bridge on 12th Street S.E. But a recent inspection of the more than 100-year-old bridge revealed that the rapidly weakening steel truss span renders the bridge unsafe to keep up until the new bridge is finished in 2018.
Zoo spokesperson Larissa Mark said while news of the early demolition of the bridge was unexpected, officials already had systems in place ensuring easy access to the park for visitors, special guests and deliveries.
“It is an inconvenience for us, but we have been managing the situation ever since construction started,” Mark said. “The bridge was mainly used for deliveries and those who wanted access to the west entrance, but the bulk of our visitors come through the north gate.”
Despite a deviation from the original plan, the city noted that “early removal of the bridge will also allow for all construction work to be complete in late 2017.” Removal of the old bridge is planned to take place this spring.
Taking out the old bridge ahead of schedule isn’t expected to have any effect on construction of the new one, and the city will provide two weeks’ notice to the surrounding community before the span closes for good.
Mark said she is sad to see the end of the Calgary landmark, which was built in 1908 to carry horses and buggies to St. George’s Island, but is looking forward to the new bridge now slated for completion by the end of the year.
The $26-million project will be flood resistant, have two wider lanes for vehicle traffic, allow for cycling and pedestrian access, and will include historical content paying homage to the original structure.