Mission bridge construction to start next week, will last more than a year

The City of Calgary is providing residents with a heads up about major bridge rehabilitation work that starts next week in Mission.

The 108-year-old Mission Bridge along 4th Street SW is set to undergo nearly $18 million in work over the next 18 months or so.

Starting Monday, the west lane of the bridge will be closed, reducing traffic to a single north and southbound lane. Cyclists will share the road with motorists and pedestrian access will be limited to the east side of the bridge.

This first phase of work is expected to last until late summer 2024, after which the east lane of the bridge will be closed, again keeping traffic reduced to a single north and southbound lane. Cyclists will again share the road with motorists and pedestrian access with be limited to the west side of the bridge.

Next winter, from fall 2024 through to spring 2025, the bridge will be fully closed to traffic. Pedestrians and cyclists will still be able to use the bridge during this time.

Next spring the bridge will reopen to traffic, though further lane restrictions will persist for several months. The construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

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The repairs to the bridge will include adding multi-use pathways to improve pedestrian and cyclist accessibility.

“Commuters are advised to allow extra travel time and use alternate routes or modes of transportation when possible,” reads a release from the city.

The city says they will actively monitor the construction has on traffic and work to minimize disruptions as best as possible by scheduling traffic impacts during off-peak hours and change the timing of traffic signals.

“We are minimizing road closures before Stampede to reduce construction impacts during this busy time,” reads the release. “Our team remains active in the community, conducting outreach to area businesses and residents.”

The city says people rafting on the Elbow River will still be able to pass underneath the bridge during all phases of construction, buy may need to follow detour signs to avoid certain sections of construction.

The Mission Bridge was first built in 1915 and last saw upgrades in 1987. The city says the rehabilitation project is necessary to extend its lifespan for several more decades.