The Jack Tennant Memorial Bridge and James Walker Trail project are on time and on budget, council learned Monday (Mar. 9).
Council received an update from the project team and learned work will continue on both components of the project this spring. The opening of the bridge and trail are still anticipated for this fall.
“This is the most important project in our community at the moment, so it’s essential to get it right,” Mayor Jeff Genung said.
“It’s exciting to see the progress and to know we’ll be driving on the bridge in a few more months.”
There are a number of major items to be completed this year to get the $54-million bridge ready for use including construction of approach slabs, installation of railings, installation of waterproofing, lighting installation and paving.
The James Walker Trail extension from the Arena Road roundabout to Riversong Boulevard is also progressing. Work resumes this spring and includes completion of the rough grading and storm system, shallow utilities, paving and landscaping.
Council also received an update on the fish habitat. Three new pools were added and the side channel was deepened and cleaned as per Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
The bridge’s procurement model was also recognized with an award from the consulting engineers of Alberta. The Town of Cochrane and Urban Systems were awarded the 2020 Consulting Engineers of Alberta (CEA) Award of Merit in the Project Management category for the innovative approach to procurement.
According to the Town, the planning process illustrated the important role of the general contractor needing support and collaboration on the design of the bridge as well as building it. This collaborative procurement model resulted in a highly professional understanding of contractual risk responsibility and eliminated uncertainties that often lead to contractual disputes and costly changes.
Past updates and construction pictures can be found on cochrane.ca/Bridge
Jack was the founder/publisher of the Cochrane Eagle and a longtime Calgary Sun and Herald columnist, died on May 20, 2018 from kidney failure. He was 82 years old.
