PROJECT SUMMARY

The City of Calgary recently embarked on a project to replace the 109-year-old 12 Street S.E. Bridge over the Bow River, the main access point between the Calgary Zoo and locations to the south. The bridge was in poor condition and deteriorating beyond a safe, useable condition. 

OUR ROLE

Matrix provided the hydrotechnical design specifications , environmental planning, and obtained regulatory approvals for the bridge replacement project. We also conducted environmental monitoring, regulatory communications and fish habitat offsetting planning and delivery. 

CHALLENGES

This was the City’s first bridge constructed across the Bow River since the record flood of 2013. Matrix established the key hydrotechnical design criteria, such as the bridge elevation, during a period of ongoing hydrologic and hydraulic model updates by the City.

The project also required careful coordination with Calgary Zoo flood mitigation work located adjacent to the bridge replacement, to ensure there were no cumulative increase to the local flood risk.

OUTCOME

Our extensive bridge experience, proactive approach, solid regulatory submittals and transparent, productive relationships with regulators helped ensure the project could be completed within the City’s tight 19-month construction timeframe.

The bridge opened in September 2018. This project has since received an Award of Merit from the Consulting Engineers of Alberta. Fish habitat offsetting in the north channel has been a huge success and will be completed in 2019.