For some time now the town has been working hard toward getting numerous agreements in place with landowners so that pre-design of the new Bow River Bridge (which will be located near Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Center) and the necessary road connections from Griffin Road to James Walker Trail can get underway.
It is vitally important to get this bridge, the town’s second river crossing built, not just to connect the community and address increasing traffic pressures, but also to have an alternative crossing for reasons of public safety. Should an emergency take place requiring the current bridge to be closed (which has happened), an alternative crossing needs to be available. The second bridge is a priority this council said it would work to achieve.
First, I am very pleased to report that after lengthy negotiations with affected landowners, we have secured agreements that identify the required road alignments. I was at the table during a significant number of these meetings and am pleased that we reached a fair and successful deal. I would like to recognize and thank all the landowners who worked with us to make it possible for Cochrane to have this important second bridge across the river.
We will be going to tender within months for the road work that will replace or upgrade how Griffin Road connects to Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre. This infrastructure work leads to the location identified many years ago for the new river crossing.
Second, now that all the alignments have been agreed to, we are advancing the pre-design work for the bridge and the connecting road that will take us across the river and connect with River Heights Drive. The last connection to be worked on will be the link from River Heights Drive to James Walker Trail and Highway 22.
While I believe the progress made to date is great news for Cochrane residents, some residents are mistakenly under the impression that the new bridge will mean the very popular off-leash dog park along the Bow River in that vicinity will have to be closed. This misinformation has made its way to various social media pages, erroneously suggesting the off-leash dog park will be closing to facilitate the new bridge. I would like to be very clear — we are not closing the off-leash dog park, which we regard as an important public asset. What will be affected is the parking area that is used on the east side of the dog park and the area between there and the river. This spot will be the location of the new bridge. The vast majority of the off-leash park will remain untouched and town administration is committed to working to replace the lost parking lot by finding room for it somewhere nearby.
On a related matter, as the design work is undertaken we will work to have the pathway connection remain under the bridge deck (a similar pathway connection currently exists now under the Highway 22 bridge).
All of council and administration recognize the great value the community places on this off-leash dog park. Rest assured we will balance this important asset with the other very important asset being the bridge and associated connecting roads.
Much more work lies ahead, but I am extremely pleased to announce the first big step, the conclusion of successful negotiations with landowners, is now complete. This is a great way to kick off 2017.
Keeping Cochrane’s communities connected and finding ways to keep traffic moving is one of Council’s biggest priorities. I have asked staff to prepare drawings showing the location of the new bridge and when available they are to be displayed at Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre, the Visitor Information Centre, RancheHouse and the town website. Watch town information channels (social media and website) for updates.
