Walterdale Bridge

The Walterdale Bridge is a through arch bridge across the North Saskatchewan River in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It replaced the previous Walterdale Bridge in 2017. The new bridge has three lanes for northbound vehicular traffic and improved pedestrian and cyclist crossings.

Walterdale Bridge
The new Walterdale Bridge nearing completion in August 2017
Coordinates 53°31′43″N 113°30′07″W
Carries105 Street northbound, pedestrian walkways
CrossesNorth Saskatchewan River
LocaleEdmonton, Alberta, Canada
Official nameWalterdale Bridge
Maintained byCity of Edmonton
Characteristics
Total length230 metres (750 ft)[1]
History
OpenedSeptember 29, 2017
(Previous) Walterdale Bridge
The old Walterdale Bridge in 2007
Coordinates 53°31′43″N 113°30′07″W
Carries105 Street northbound, pedestrian walkway
CrossesNorth Saskatchewan River
LocaleEdmonton, Alberta, Canada
Official nameWalterdale Bridge (1967–2017)
Other name(s)
  • Fifth Street Bridge (1913–1914)
  • 105th Street Bridge (1914–1967)
Maintained byCity of Edmonton
Characteristics
DesignSteel truss with steel grating deck
Total length214.2 metres (703 ft)
History
Opened1913
Closed2017
Replaced byNew Walterdale Bridge
(Previous) Walterdale Bridge
Location in Edmonton

The previous Walterdale Bridge (formerly called the 105 Street Bridge, renamed in 1967)[2] was a steel grating-decked truss bridge that spanned the North Saskatchewan River in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It was built in 1913 by the Dominion Bridge Company and was named after John Walter, an early settler who ran a ferry at this approximate location.[3] The neighbourhood Walterdale at this location was also named after John Walter.[4]

Replacement

Construction began on a replacement bridge in early 2013 and was scheduled to be completed in late 2015; however, it did not open (two lanes only) until September 18, 2017. The contractor faced over $10 million in penalties for the delay. The new bridge has three lanes for northbound vehicular traffic and improved pedestrian and cyclist crossings. The old bridge was demolished and removed. Roadway and trail links north and south of the bridge were partially complete, and the pedestrian access and all lanes opened on September 29, 2017.[5]

The new bridge is located east of the original bridge, and is supported by concrete thrust blocks on the banks of the river, eliminating the need for piers. The arches are 56 metres (184 ft) tall.[6]

References

  1. Walterdale Bridge - The archway. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
  2. Edmonton Historical Board, City of Edmonton (2004). Naming Edmonton: From Ada to Zoie. University of Alberta Press. p. 327. ISBN 0-88864-423-X.
  3. Ivany, Kathryn (2004). Historic Walks of Edmonton. Red Deer Press, Calgary. pp. 25–31. ISBN 0889952981.
  4. "John Walter Historic Area". Parks Canada. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
  5. Kornik, Slav (September 29, 2017). "Edmonton pedestrians can now use new Walterdale Bridge". Global News. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  6. "Walterdale Bridge Features :: City of Edmonton". City of Edmonton. Archived from the original on July 6, 2014. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
Preceded by
High Level Bridge
Bridge across the
North Saskatchewan River
Succeeded by
James MacDonald Bridge
Road bridge across the
North Saskatchewan River
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