Fate of High Level Bridge still up in the air as city eyes replacement

The city is moving forward with a plan to demolish Edmonton's High Level Bridge as the cost of renewal is too expansive, according to staff.

The fate of Edmonton’s iconic High Level Bridge remains uncertain as discussions around its replacement were had at city hall Monday.

A report viewed by city council Tuesday indicated it would be fiscally irresponsible to rehabilitate the 113-year-old structure, and that it would be more economic to replace it.

That same report also suggests the Low Level Bridge be replaced as it nears its end-of-service life.

Pascale Ladouceur, branch manager of infrastructure and design, said there will be many opportunities to discuss the future of the High Level Bridge over the next 10 to 15 years.

“There will be many decision points along the line for infrastructure committee, council and the public to weigh in,” said Ladouceur following Monday’s meeting. “It doesn’t mean that every decision has been made today. We’re only at the very first stage of addressing the planning and design.”

The committee heard that if the bridge was converted to only accommodate active transportation, it would essentially cost the same to maintain vehicle traffic.

“At this point, the question is: do you do a new bridge and still try to retain that one,” said Mayor Andrew Knack. “If you were going to try to go down that path, you would need funding from the other orders of government. There would be no financial scenario where the city would be able to do it all on their own.”

He added that a variable in the equation would be the province’s high-speed rail strategy which could see Calgary and Edmonton connected by a 400 km/h passenger train.

“I’d be curious to see what they’re proposing, what that looks like, and how that might or might not fit into this conversation,” said the mayor.

Ward papastew Coun. Michael Janz suggested there could be potential for provincial funding after making a second motion to dig into traffic impacts.

“I think it’s important to realize that 30 per cent of the cars on Edmonton roads are not Edmonton taxpayers, they’re from the region,” said the councillor. “Really, this isn’t just an Edmonton bridge and Edmonton problem, this is a problem for all of the region.”

City council has known for decades that the High Level Bridge, which is a designated historic resource, was due for a pricey facelift, setting aside $200 million for the rehab in 2022. Since then, engineers have determined the structure is in worse condition than initially expected.

City planners now have the OK to begin planning and design work for both bridges, which they estimate will cost $1.3 billion.

Potential for recreation amenity

Janz pointed to the High Line in New York City as a model for what the High Level Bridge could be.

The High Line is an elevated public park built on about 2.3 kilometres of rail line that sees about eight million visitors annually.

Paris’ Coulée verte René-Dumont, built in 1993, inspired the High Line, and is a 4.7 kilometre elevated linear park constructed on top of obsolete railway infrastructure.

“Can you picture Edmonton without the High Level Bridge?” asked Janz. “It is one of the most beautiful views in the city … I really want to make sure that we can do anything within our power to preserve it.

“The idea that this may not last, it’s quite nauseating, to be honest.”

But Natalie Lazurko, director of engineering services with the city, said while there is still time to discuss saving the High Level Bridge, rehab can only go so far.

“It will only buy us a period of time,” said Lazurko. “After 25 years renewal would be again required, and would we be able to complete that renewal? We don’t know.”

One fixture that hopes to remain, whether on the existing bridge or its replacement, is the streetcar that runs along the top of the structure in the warmer months.

“I don’t think you’ll be able to have the same design, but hopefully you can have a lot of that same historic piece, and I think that’s where I come back to the streetcar more and more so than anything else,” said Knack. “That to me retains at least one of those really important pieces on it.”

The mayor adds that any major connection across the river has to accommodate vehicle traffic, dedicated rapid bus transit and active transportation.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Jeremy Thompson