New bridge reconnects Britannia, River Park
Posted Nov 23, 2014 9:29 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
More than a year after flooding, residents near Sandy Beach Park in southwest Calgary now have a new bridge to enjoy.
The structure, which spans the Elbow River, was destroyed during the 2013 floods but now rejoins River Park and the community of Britannia.
Some residents at the pedestrian span’s official opening said they are excited it is finally open.
This woman told City she lives in the area and brings her dogs to the off leash dog park all the time.
“I think it’s great for cyclists too because now it’s opened up the rest of the city to them as well,” she said.
Another woman called the completed construction beautiful and said “It’s great that we can reinstate connections back within the community.”
The cost of the span, and two others that were completely damaged, will cost around $12-million.
The opening ceremonies for the new pedestrian bridge saw a group of protestors gather as well.
The picketers carried signs that read “$6-million dollars for this?” and say their demonstration actually has nothing to do with the bridge itself.
“They’ve taken a beautiful pristine park, and they’ve absolutely destroyed it,” Stewart Hanlon tells City.
Hanlon is part of a group of residents who say they were not properly consulted on a redevelopment of the slopes, Sandy Beach, and River Park which had a price tag in the millions.
“There was never a safety issue, there was never an erosion issue, there was never any complaints with respect to dogs being off leash … this was a $6-million solution to a problem that did not exist,” Hanlon said.
The redevelopment is expected to be finished by 2016.
Mayor Naheed Nenshi said a community consultation process had happened.
