Construction is set to begin on a pedestrian bridge across the Bow River next month.
The Town of Banff got word last week that they have received all federal approvals for work to begin, including from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Transport Canada and Parks Canada.
The $6.7 million project – which includes a pedestrian bridge with sanitary and sewer pipes slung beneath it from Muskrat Street to Glen Avenue – begins on Oct. 11.
“It’s been a lengthy and detailed approval process with special attention to detail for design and the environment,” said Adrian Field, the Town of Banff’s engineering manager.
The project is one of the more controversial for the current council, with residents in the area fighting the project all the way in arguing a bridge is not an effective use of taxpayer dollars and that it’s in the wrong location.
One of the first tasks includes relocation of a storm water outfall and the construction of a concrete wet well, a six-metre deep chamber, on the north Buffalo Street side of the future bridge.
This work will be followed by construction of bridge piers, taking advantage of seasonal low water levels. In-stream work is expected to start in November.
Portions of the pedestrian trail along the north bank of the river will be periodically closed, though pedestrian access from Muskrat to Banff Avenue will be retained.
Construction updates will be issued regularly on the Town of Banff’s website, banff.ca The project will be complete in fall 2013.
