Canmore’s iconic Engine Bridge, which forms part of the beloved river trail network, is going to see some major reconstruction work occur this spring requiring it be closed to public access for up to eight weeks.
The bridge was used by Canmore Mines to transport coal across the river and to the CP Rail tracks, however, since the mines closed in 1979 it has been an integral part of the pathway system.
But when the 2013 June flood occurred and armouring around the bridge’s abutments were washed away, it became clear repairs were needed.
Canmore’s manager of engineering Andy Esarte said in September 2013 the municipality was pushing hard to get riprap – large rocks – back in place around the bridge abutments.
“We pushed hard to get that in place and what it meant is that the contractor brought large loads across the bridge,” he said. “An engineer was monitoring the support beams to make sure the loads could be carried. The beams that support the deck are quite old and some of them were starting to fail as the equipment was going across them.”
Esarte said it was clear at that time a detailed investigation was needed and it determined most of the western span of the bridge beams, which are wooden, are at the end of their lifecycle and need to be replaced.
Earlier this month, crews mobilized to clear trees around the engine bridge to allow the work to start. Esarte said tree clearing happened before the full project has been tendered because there is a short window in spring before migratory birds arrive and nest.
“We are in the bid evaluation process and about to award the contract,” he said.
Once the contract is awarded, Esarte said the municipality will be able to give a better timeline of when a full closure of the bridge would be needed to complete the work.
The closure will also occur before June, as the work in the river on the abutments should occu when the water levels are low.
