In early September, new trail connections for the Walterdale Bridge, which spans across the North Saskatchewan River in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, finally opened, marking the completion of the $155 million project.
The project was designed by the Edmonton office of DIALOG, their integrated design team included structural engineering (bridge design), electrical engineering, architecture and landscape architecture. The team incorporated Kebony Clear modified wood decking on the pedestrian bridge and bench seating. Pedestrian routes offer ADA compliant accessibility and connectivity to the river valley’s extensive trail system. The new passageways facilitated by the bridge’s arched design also accommodate public art and seating.
The 755-foot bridge span features 160-foot arch structures supported by thrust blocks on both river banks, eliminating permanent in-river piers. The open shared-use path on the east side of the bridge shares one of the signature arches for support, inviting pedestrians to get closer to the river valley.
The project began in 2013, with the bridge expected to be completed by late 2016, but steel beams manufactured in South Korea arrived later than scheduled, setting the construction schedule back.
As a prominent addition to the Edmonton skyline, the bridge is designed to be both functional and beautiful. The signature steel arches and cable design hide utility pipes and cables relocated from the old Walterdale Bridge that dated back to 1913.
