While the bridge will be off-limits to cars during the shutdown, pedestrians and cyclists will still be able to use it
The city has announced that Mission Bridge will be fully closed to vehicle traffic for about six months starting Friday to allow crews to complete repair work on the commuter bridge.
While the bridge will be off-limits to cars during the shutdown, pedestrians and cyclists will still be able to use it.
The impending shutdown is part of a rehabilitation project aimed at extending the bridge’s lifespan by around 35 years. The closure will shave about one year off the project’s construction timeline, and the city anticipates two-way vehicle traffic will resume in spring 2025, with final project completion slated for late 2025.
“(This closure) allows us to best manage the bridge’s repairs so it can last for another 35 years until requiring any further intervention,” said Max Lacroix, project manager and senior structural engineer with the city. “We are committed to minimizing impacts to bridge users, area residents and local businesses while this work happens.
“We want to reopen Mission Bridge to vehicle traffic quickly while also making sure the work is completed safely.”
About the project
Work on the rehabilitation of Mission Bridge began in May 2024, with repairs to the exterior of the structure already mostly completed, the city said.
The project includes repairs to the concrete structure and upgrades to pedestrian and cyclist accessibility and safety, with the addition of multi-use pathways on each side of the bridge and enhanced lighting. Work is also being done on the retaining wall and sidewalk located northwest of the bridge following the Elbow River.
According to the city’s website, the project will improve overall mobility, promote the use of alternative modes of transportation and accommodate continued growth in the city with upgrades to the bridge it called a “critical link” in Calgary’s transportation network.
The city has invested $17.8 million in the rehabilitation project.
Mission Bridge is located along 4th Street S.W. at the south end of the Mission District. One of Calgary’s oldest bridges, it opened to vehicle traffic in 1915, and was last upgraded in 1987.
The three-lane bridge spans the Elbow River and connects the communities of Roxboro and Rideau to the Mission District.
The city held a drop-in open house Oct. 10 to provide more information about the project to stakeholders.
Research participation opportunity
The city is looking for volunteers who rely on the Mission Bridge to participate in research that aims to understand the impact of construction on commuters. Participants will complete activities such as journaling and mapping their commute experience over a two-week period during the closure.
The city will use feedback from participants to identify potential ways to improve commuter experiences during construction.
Research participants will receive an honorarium for their time.
