Town of Banff

Pedestrian Bridge Project

The 1992 Banff Trail and Open Space Plan, as well as a number of other transportation-related studies, have proposed the development of a pedestrian bridge over the Bow River, linking Central Park and the north side of Banff to the Recreation Grounds and the south side of Banff.

In September 2007, Banff Town Council approved the preparation of a detailed design for a new pedestrian bridge. In April 28, 2008, Council approved the preparation of a revised design, employing Haunched Steel Plate Girder construction, rather than the Glulam Arch design that was originally envisioned.

Although the proposed bridge is considered an important project by many in our community, it has been put on "hold" due to fiscal constraints that developed during the 2009 budget planning process. The project is still in the Town of Banff capital plan, but it will not proceed further until new funding sources are identified.

2007 Survey Results

In May 2007, the Town of Banff gathered community input about proposed locations and usage of a pedestrian bridge, for consideration by Town Council.

Here are some key results of the survey:

• 193 total responses
• 77% prefer location "A," 20% prefer location "B," 3% prefer neither
• 89% residents of Banff, 11% non-residents (Canmore, Exshaw, Calgary, Germany, Ontario)
• for Banff residents, 53% of respondents live on the North side of the Bow River and 47% live on the South side
• respondents by age category:  0% 0-18, 22% 19-29, 26% 30-39, 48% 40-59, 4% 60+
• 84% of respondents indicated that a pedestrian bridge over the Bow River would improve the trail system
• 83% of respondents indicated that a pedestrian bridge over the Bow River would improve the quality of life and enhance community or trail use experience
• important features indicated by respondents:  87% Bike Lane, 73% Lighting, 39% Viewing nodes/bump-outs, 21% Benches