Walterdale Bridge Replacement and Approach Roads Evaluation

The concept planning study for the Walterdale Bridge was completed by a collaboration of four Edmonton based consulting firms led by ISL Engineering and Land Services. The team included prominent bridge and structural design firms Dialog and Buckland & Taylor, as well as Al-Terra, who provided overall project management and approach roads planning and design.

The purpose of the study was to define the location and alignment of a new bridge crossing the North Saskatchewan River to replace the 100 year old deteriorating Walterdale bridge. The primary objective was to evaluate options and develop a functional design for a signature bridge that would provide an iconic gateway to downtown Edmonton. A secondary objective was to develop and evaluate road alignment options for both Queen Elizabeth Park Road and Walterdale Hill Road in the vicinity of the bridge, as well as address urban design issues related to the park setting and major trail system.

Through an extensive evaluation process, the team developed a road and bridge alignment option that would allow the existing bridge to remain in service while the new bridge was under construction. This required very detailed alignment development and analysis, particularly on the north side of the river, to avoid a Heritage Cemetery and Burial Grounds, while siting the new bridge very near the existing bridge. The project required extensive public involvement, historical resources work and consultation, and environmental screening, which were all initiated during concept planning to facilitate fast tracking the design.

The same consulting team was retained by the City of Edmonton to provide detailed design and construction engineering services.