Bridge work to close portion of Mill Creek Ravine in the fall

The trails in Mill Creek Ravine near Ritchie and King Edward Park will close in the fallto facilitate the replacement of five rotting pedestrian bridges.

The $7.5-millionproject, in the works now for two years, is necessary to ensure the structural integrity of the bridges, which were assessed last year, said Jason Reske, an engineer with the City of Edmonton.

He was meeting with members of the public on Tuesday night during an open house at theKing Edward Park Community League, providing updates on the construction schedule.

The closure is expected to last from September through until May, Reskesaid.

Two of the three trestle bridges on the paved upper trail, which are part of an old railway line, will be refurbished. The other onewill be replaced. The two glued laminatebridges on the lower gravel trail will be replaced as well.

"Unfortunately, just due to the topography in the area and theproximity of all the bridges, we've allowed the contractorthe ability to close the entire area,"Reskesaid, noting the city is still negotiating with the contractor, who may have some ideas to avoid completely cordoningoff the area.

Inconvenience will pay off

For the people who use the Mill Creek Ravine every day, other options would be welcome.

BeccaDuarrides her bike through the affected portion of MillCreek Ravine every morning and afternoon commuting to the University of Alberta.

"That means I would have to take the roads instead of taking the trails. I would have to deal with traffic," she said. "I don't have to deal with traffic here. I don't have to deal with the cars."

But she's noticedthe aging boards on the bridge deckssome of which are popping out and would welcome a smoother ride.

Christine Bandelowis also in the area daily with her family, walking the dog. She noted the bridges can be hazardous, especially when slippery.

While some of the boards are replaced as needed, she said overall they're quite worn down.

Bandelow is hopeful the upper and lower trails won't be closed simultaneously, but said she understands if it works out that way.

The temporary inconvenience will be worth it in the end for her. Once the bridges are replaced, "it will be fabulous," she said.

Preserving the'charm'

ShastinaTessier crosses the three trestle bridges on the upper trailon her morning runs. Like Bandelow, she hopes the work is staggered so that when the upper trail is out of commission, she can use the lower trailand vice versa.

But her main concern is preserving the "charm of the bridges."

"They're so beautiful," she said.

Tessier's daughter, Mia, who is in the ravine regularly with her,walking and cycling, agrees.

"I think they're nice but if there's going to be some new ones, I'm looking forward to it," Mia said.

Reskesaid the city plans toreuseas much of the trestle bridgesas possible. The main change will be the width of the decks, which will be 1.2 metres wider post-construction.

The bridges will be wider too: 4.2 metres instead of their current threemetres. The handrails will have a more classical look.

The city will post the specifics of the construction schedule on its websiteonce it is confirmed.

Detour routes will also be posted and properly signed,Reskesaid.