The Town of Banff is preparing to start construction of the pedestrian crossing over the Bow River at Central Park and the community will see fencing being installed around the construction sites on both sides of the river. The fencing is used to ensure safety during construction, security for materials and equipment and protection of the environment during the activity.
Part of the Central Park parking lot will be closed, fenced and used for a project management site for designers and work crews. A large portion of Central Park will be fenced to allow safe movement of heavy machinery, storage of materials, preparation of new connecting paths, and construction of the complete span of the bridge on site. After foundations are created on either side and the full span is built, it will be lifted into place next summer.
The Bow River trail that runs along the river on either side will be closed in the construction zone. A detour trail will be created to allow for continuous use connecting to the trail on either side of the construction zone.
Work underway includes the relocation of 13 large trees in Central Park to make way for new trail alignment and site preparation. Next week, about 30 more trees will be removed from the location where the foundations of the bridge will be established near each bank. Many new trees will be planted during reclamation and landscaping, following bridge construction. Trees that cannot be relocated will be used for fuel in the Town’s biomass district heating system, which reduces fossil fuel consumption in Town facilities.
After site preparation is complete and final federal approvals are in place, the work will start on excavations on each side where the pilings and foundations will be poured. The bridge will not have any piers in the river.
When complete by fall 2022, the new Nancy Pauw Bridge will see up to 8,000 pedestrians, cyclists and skateboarders cross the bridge. The bridge will provide a connection from the downtown on the north side of the river to the recreation grounds, a residential neighbourhood, the Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum and the Cave and Basin National Historic Site. The bridge will also create a safe place for residents to cross in winter, rather than risking walking on ice over moving water and changing conditions.
More information and updates will be provided at banff.ca/PauwBridge
For more information, contact:
Jason Darrah, Communications Director, Town of Banff
Jason.darrah@banff.ca Ph: 403.762.1207