Aboriginal critic wants city to move proposed bridge

Although provisional work is already underway to replace the Walterdale Bridge, some aboriginal Edmontonians are asking the city to reconsider the bridges location.

Phillip Coutu would like the city to re-route the new bridge slightly to the east of current plans to avoid what he considers a sacred burial ground in Rossdale.

"The current route will destroy the historic landing. It's an archaeological treasure," said Coutu, a long-time critic of the citys dealings with regards to the area.

He says the city failed to adequately consult with aboriginal groups in the city prior to starting work on the bridge.

"As a Mtis person, for me, what this means is it brings disharmony to all of us," he added. "It will be symbolic of the way First Nations people are treated in Alberta."

But city special projects manager Byron Nicholson said that isnt the case.

As part of its request to amend the legal boundaries of the burial ground, the city consulted with 21 separate aboriginal groups in the Edmonton prior to cementing any bridge plans.

"This was the most in-depth consultation process ever in the city of Edmonton for any previous bridge or road projects," said Nicholson. "Were very happy with the way it turned out and with the effort put in."

Nicholson said the city incorporated as many of the suggestions made by Coutu and other aboriginal consultants as possible.

Thefinal alignment avoids the Rossdale burial ground, but will require an information display to be moved.

"The alignment that was chosen eventually and approved by council was chosen for a couple of reasons," he said. "One: it allows the old bridge to remain open during construction, which is a big benefit. Secondly, it minimizes the impact on the north side because we're building right adjacent to the old bridge and the area that we're impacting was all previously disturbed."

With a contractor lined up and construction scheduled to begin next month, Nicholson said it is too late to consider an alternate bridge location.

Aboriginal consultation will continue throughout construction,however.

Nicholson said aboriginal monitors will be on site throughout bridge construction to ensure that no cultural resources are negatively impacted.