Walterdale Bridge Replacement Project History
Build Phase
Project Update - April 2016
The second and final arch lift on the new Walterdale Bridge took place on April 12, 2016 with great success.
The 2,000 tonne signature bridge arch was raised about 20 metres to its ultimate height of 54 metres above the river.
Now work has started making the connections between the segments. After that we'll be building the bridge deck!
Project Update - Winter 2016
The latest update on the Walterdale Bridge Replacement project including pictures of the January 19 arch lift and the upcoming construction timeline.
Project Update - January 2016
The first of two major arch lifts took place on Tuesday, January 19.
The 950 tonne central arch, which was floated into place last November, was lifted about 15 metres to connect with the two arch sections already resting on the berms. The lift process took about six hours and a second major lift is scheduled for March.
You can watch the bridge construction on our live feed cameras.
Project Update - November 2015
Preparations for floating the 950-tonne steel arches across the river continue. View the new live construction streaming video to see the ongoing progress.
Project Updates - October 2015
October 21, 2015 - All arch steel is now on site, and the central arch segments have been assembled on the south side of the bank. The bridge contractor has completed dredging the North Saskatchewan River, and preparations for the arch float are beginning.
Project Update - August 2015
Preparation has begun for the arrival of the steel arches in the fall of 2015. In order to allow for them to be floated across the North Saskatchewan, the river needed to be dredged to at least 2.1m deep. This process will not only provided the access needed but it will also provide the project with material for the build as the extracted river bottom will be used as backfill for Queen Elizabeth Park.
Project Update - June 2015
Work continues on the concrete bridge support legs that will connect with the arches with the underground thrust blocks. The central sections of arch steel are on site and work will now begin on assembling the pieces in preparation to have them floated across the river.
Project Update - April 2015
In early April, the City of Edmonton had announced that the anticipated traffic opening date needed to be revised to fall 2016. With the arrival of the central steel pieces, the construction schedule has also been updated. More details can be found in the April update of the project.
Project Update - April 2015
On April 8, the City announced that the scheduled opening date for the new Walterdale Bridge has been pushed back a year, from fall 2015 to fall 2016.
“We are disappointed that we will not be able to open the bridge at the end of this year as hoped,” said Barry Belcourt, Branch Manager for Roads Design and Construction. “However, we, along with our general contractor, Acciona/Pacer Joint Venture, are committed to delivering this signature bridge by the end of 2016.”
More information about the current progress of the Walterdale Bridge can be found in our updated FAQ document.
Project Update - February 2015
The Walterdale Bridge team is finishing work on thrust blocks and arch support structures in anticipation of arch steel arriving in March. Get more on the Walterdale Bridge Replacement Project in our February update.
Project Update - December 2014
- Work continues on concrete foundations for tracks in the laydown area.
- Cofferdam excavations are being backfilled.
Project Update - September 2014
- Concrete work continues on the thrust blocks.
- In late August, in-river berms were extended to create launch areas for future bridge arches.
- Temporary steel towers are being created and will be placed on the in-river berms to lift the arches into place.
August 2014 - Construction Update
Crews began extending the in-river berms, which will serve as launching areas for the bridge arches. Work on thrust blocks also continued on both sides of the river, with crews layering concrete over anchor rods to form the four thrust blocks that will support the new bridge arches.
July 2014 - Construction Update
Crews are continuing with the foundation work on both sides of the river and will be starting on preparation for the future shared-use path and promenade wall just northwest of the existing bridge. In early August crews will begin expanding the existing in-river berms, which will serve as launching areas for the bridge arches.
April 2014 - Construction Update
The Walterdale Hill Road was closed in early May to allow for the necessary road realignment. In addition, decorative streetlights have been installed along Queen Elizabeth Park Road that are unique to this project.
March 2014 - Construction Update
Thrust block construction has begun in all four cofferdams on both sides of the river. Once completed, this essential work will be hidden 20 m underneath the ground and future roadway alignment. Work on the north bridge abutment is also underway.
February 2014 - Construction Update
Work continues on the project with several important milestones having been reached in January. In addition, the City has launched an infographic detailing the substructure which will be the foundation for the new bridge.
December 2013 Yearbook
See how construction on the new Walterdale Bridge progressed over the past year in the 2013 yearbook.
Walterdale Bridge Replacement - 2013 Yearbook
November 2013 - Construction Update
Crews are excavating within the south side cofferdams for thrust blocks that will support future bridge arches.
October 2013
- Major grading work on Queen Elizabeth Park Road (QE Park Rd) is complete. Minor boulevard grading ongoing. Base asphalt, curb and gutter work is 50% complete.
- Signs, pavement markings, temporary traffic signals to be installed after paving completed.
- Drainage on south side along QE Park Road complete.
September 2013 - Construction Update
- Major grading work on Queen Elizabeth Park Road (QE Park Rd) is complete. Minor boulevard grading ongoing. Base asphalt, curb and gutter work is 50% complete.
- Signs, pavement markings, temporary traffic signals to be installed after paving completed.
- Drainage on south side along QE Park Rd complete.
- Sheet piling installation continues on both banks, including 40 sheet pilings on south side and 9 drilled concrete piles on north side.
- Queen Elizabeth Park Road to reopen to traffic by early October.
August 2013 - Construction Update
- Drainage work and utility relocations underway.
- Drilling and sheet piling work underway on south side of river in preparation for thrust block construction.
May 2013 - Construction Update
In-river berm construction was completed in March 2013. Construction is anticipated to begin in late June/early July.
Queen Elizabeth Park Road will be closed once construction begins. The City will send out traffic advisories and a media announcement prior to the road closure.
The Walterdale Bridge will remain open to traffic during construction.
Design & Concept
For More Information
Ryan Teplitsky
| Telephone | 780-944-7651 |
|---|---|
| walterdalebridge@edmonton.ca |
