The Dawson Bridge is being rehabilitated, with construction expected to be completed in summer 2026.
Project Update - Summer 2026
Work continues on the Dawson Bridge Rehabilitation project, with construction anticipated to be complete by the end of summer 2026. Pedestrian sidewalk access will be closed on one side of the bridge for the duration of the project to accommodate construction activities. Pedestrian access will be maintained on the opposite side of the bridge.
Dawson Bridge reopened to two-way traffic in late July. The bridge will be closed from July 29 to August 1 to complete work that was deferred due to weather conditions.
During this time, please use alternative routes. Delays are expected, particularly during peak travel times. Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead using the Traffic Disruptions Map.
Transit Impacts
Route 1A/B will be detoured during periods when the bridge is fully closed. On Demand Transit will not be affected.
A courtesy taxi service will be in place when the Dawson Bridge is closed and will provide service outside of the operating hours of On Demand Transit.
The service will travel between the Riverdale On Demand Transit bus stops and the transit hubs at City Centre Mall and Churchill Square.
Find more details at Alerts and Service Impacts.
About the Project
The Dawson Bridge is a riveted steel through-truss bridge constructed in 1912. The bridge carries vehicles, pedestrians, transit and cyclists across the North Saskatchewan River between the Riverdale and Forest Heights neighbourhoods and is listed on Edmonton’s Inventory of Historic Resources.
The current rehabilitation project addresses priority repairs identified through bridge condition assessments and will help extend the bridge’s operational life in the near term.
As part of the City’s long-term bridge renewal program, additional planning and technical analysis will be undertaken in future budget cycles to determine a long-term lifecycle strategy for the bridge.
Future planning will consider transportation needs, bridge condition, operational requirements and the bridge’s historical significance.
Project Timeline
2027-2030
2026
2025
2023
2022
Project History
Work continues on the Dawson Bridge Rehabilitation project, with construction anticipated to be complete by the end of summer 2026. Pedestrian sidewalk access will be closed on one side of the bridge for the duration of the project to accommodate construction activities. Pedestrian access will be maintained on the opposite side of the bridge.
Temporary single-lane closures will be required on the Dawson Bridge for approximately two weeks starting June 1 (subject to change). Traffic control measures will be in place to manage traffic.
Full bridge closures are scheduled for overnight on the following dates (subject to change):
- May 29, 8pm to May 30, 7am
- June 12, 8pm to June 13, 7am
Dawson Bridge will be completely closed to all traffic to safely accommodate bridge barrier replacement from:
- June 19, 7pm to June 22, 5am
- June 26, 7pm to June 29, 5am
During this time, please use alternative routes.
Construction activity on the bridge will begin in late January. The rehabilitation is anticipated to be completed in spring 2026.
In 2026, temporary single-lane closures will be required on Dawson Bridge. These closures are expected to last approximately one month. Traffic control measures will be in place to manage traffic.
Pedestrian sidewalk access will be closed on one side of the bridge for the duration of the project to accommodate scaffolding work. Pedestrian access will be maintained on the opposite side of the bridge.
Construction has been scheduled to align with the Low Level Bridge Rehabilitation and the Wellington Bridge Replacement to minimize disruption where possible.
Dawson Bridge will undergo minor rehabilitation work to strengthen the bridge piers. Rehabilitation work is expected to begin in October 2025 and be completed by spring 2026.
We expect this work to have low impact on traffic flow with minimal weekend closures of the bridge while this work is underway. Pedestrian access will be maintained where possible. Additional construction details and detours will be shared closer to the start date.
