A report from the City of Edmonton has a timeline to potentially demolish the High Level and Low Level bridges in the coming years at their end-of-service-life nears. The report, which was viewed by city council Tuesday, said analysis confirms the need to prepare for the eventual decommissioning of both bridges. “Replacement of both bridges is required to maintain connectivity, support long-term city growth, and better accommodate transit and active transportation,” said the report. Council will make budget decisions on the Low Level Bridge in the 2027-2030 cycle and on the High Level Bridge in the 2031-2039 budget cycle. The southbound Low Level Bridge saw repairs completed in 2025, but further repairs will need to be done until it is decommissioned, said the report. An Edmonton landmark, the High Level Bridge was built by the Canadian Pacific Railway Company between 1910 and 1913, and is one of few ever constructed to combine four modes of transportation, including train, streetcar, vehicle and pedestrian. “At 113 years old, the bridge is beyond the end of its lifecycle, making rehabilitation a high-risk, high-cost endeavour with an extended construction schedule,” said the report. “Every 20 to 25 years, another renewal will be required, each time more expensive and riskier than the previous, if even possible.” The report estimates that maintaining the High Level Bridge for the next 75 years could require a total investment upwards of $1 billion. City administration said replacing both the High Level and Low Level Bridges will cost an estimated $1.3 billion, adding that a functional bridge will come at a lower cost than a “signature bridge.” In 2022, city council approved funding for administration to start the rehabilitation planning and design for the High Level Bridge, which started with an analysis of the structure. Tuesday’s report revealed that long-term rehabilitation is no longer a feasible or fiscally responsible approach. “Instead, the city will be advancing a targeted rehabilitation aimed at maintaining safe operations while we plan, design and build the replacement bridge over the next decade,” said transportation planning and design director Natalie Lazurko. While the remaining service life is estimated to be between 10 to 15 years, the city intends to perform maintenance and rehabilitation to the bridge, such as removing a vertical column that obstructs the sidewalk and deterring over-height trucks from impacting the bridge. An anticipated timeline for the Central Area Bridge Renewal has the demolition of the High Level to be delivered between 2040 and 2042. “The city recognizes the attachment many Edmontonians have to these structures, and want to be clear that this work is not about disregarding Edmonton’s history,” said infrastructure planning and design manager Pascale LaDouceur at a press conference Tuesday afternoon. “It’s about balancing heritage consideration, public safety, infrastructure reliability and long-term transportation needs.” Discussions around bridge replacement have been going on for some time, said Mayor Andrew Knack. “These bridge replacements were coming up to this point in time, so this shouldn’t be a surprise for anyone,” Knack told reporters. “It’s a conversation about how to make sure we do this thoughtfully, safely, and as quickly as possible without compromising any of that.” Administration said traffic routes will be adjusted to ensure there is still connectivity across the North Saskatchewan River. “Our plan for replacing the bridges includes a focus on minimizing traffic disruptions as much as possible,” said deputy city manager Sarah Nichols. The northbound Low Level Bridge rehabilitation in 2027 will see traffic diverted to the James MacDonald Bridge. The High Level Bridge was designated a Municipal Historic Resource in 1995, meaning that it cannot be demolished or “inappropriately altered.” However, council could repeal the bylaw that gives it designation in order to replace it, which has only been done three times since 1982. The infrastructure committee is scheduled to discuss the Central Area Bridge Renewal Update on Monday. With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Jeremy Thompson
