FAQs

There are three main problems with the bridge here.

• First, it is at the end of its service life. That means we have repaired and maintained the bridge as best we can, but it will soon no longer be safe or fit for use. 
• The bridge also doesn’t meet modern accessibility standards for users of all ages and abilities. 
• Finally, the bridge is frequently submerged in flood waters. No other pedestrian bridges in the city regularly have this problem. 

Because of these factors, we will need to replace or close the bridge within the next five years. We can’t continue to maintain the bridge. 

Some of the indications the bridge is at the end of its service life include: 

• Deep cracks in the bridge deck
• Open/exposed areas
• Damaged bearings (which what connects the bridge deck to the supporting structure) 

Photos from the assessments are available under the documents tab. 

The bridge began to show signs of deterioration in 2010, which led to yearly inspections. Here is some of what we’ve observed in these inspections: 

• 2010 - Signs of deck deterioration, wide cracks, and open areas on the bridge itself
• 2017 – The underside of the deck began cracking and we recorded early signs of deck failure
• 2019 – Full-depth cracking appeared
• 2021 – We observed deformed and bulging bearings; this damage prevents the bridge from functioning as intended 

We made temporary repairs to the bridge deck in 2022, but it isn't enough to keep the bridge usable. If additional cracking or other warning signs such as sagging occur, we would permanently close the existing bridge without warning.

Some of these issues are because the bridge was built using atypical materials meant for indoor construction. The bridge was made using hollow core concrete slabs on the bridge deck. Concrete slabs aren’t  meant to withstand the excessive freeze-thaw bridge conditions and repeated deicing and flooding. Bridge construction more often uses solid deck material.  

We studied the bridge in 2010.

We took five design options to the community for input. These options included:

• Three variations of a bridge
• One design that focused on upgrading the park
• One design that solely upgraded the existing bridge

The study halted without recommending a design. 

At that time, the public told us the designs would all negatively impact how community members use the park. We also heard the designs did not match the look and feel of the park.  

We have lessons learned from the 2010 approach to guide us. We’re moving forward with the knowledge that preserving park assets is a priority for the community. Before we hire a consultant to do the design study, we are coming to the community to listen. We want to confirm what we heard in the past, learn what’s changed, and determine our best steps forward.

This new study will look at the bridge itself, potential improvements to the pathways that surround it, and a future river access point.

We do not yet have budget assigned for construction of the bridge. The design study will help us determine a Class 5 cost estimate and schedule for construction. We hope it could move to construction planning as early as 2026.

Honestly, we’re not sure.  This project will look at what could work for a river access point, considering your feedback, but construction may not include river access at this time.

We want to ensure we fully understand current park use and shortcomings, the concerns raised around the 2010 design and process, a vision for a future river access point, and what the community wants to see in evaluation criteria. This will help us shape the study and design. It will also help shape future phases of engagement.