Bridgeland-Riverside Multimodal Pedestrian Bridge
Connecting People, Places and Nature Bridgeland-Riverside Multimodal Pedestrian Bridge Project
The Bridgeland-Riverside Multimodal Pedestrian Bridge project is creating a safer, more accessible and direct connection between the Bridgeland-Riverside community, Bridgeland-Memorial LRT Station, St. Patrick's Island and Calgary's regional pathway network.
Designed for people walking, wheeling and cycling, the project will improve access to key destinations for generations to come.
Project update
Construction started mid-July 2026
Graham, our contractor, has started construction on the new bridge from the north bank over the Bow River to St. Patrick’s Island.
As construction is underway, residents and visitors can expect temporary impacts. Current anticipated impacts are listed below, and this webpage will be updated regularly as construction progresses.
Construction impacts
| Location | Timeframe | Impacts and Details |
|---|---|---|
| Location : | Timeframe : Summer 2026 and Summer 2027 |
Impacts and Details
:
Single lane closure along eastbound Memorial Drive near the Bridgeland-Memorial LRT Station. Refer to the road closure map below for further details. |
| Location : Bow River Pathway | Timeframe : Summer 2026 to Fall 2027 |
Impacts and Details
:
Closure of the pathway north of St. Patrick’s Island. Refer to the pathway detour map below for further details. |
| Location : Bow River | Timeframe : Summer 2026 to Summer 2027 | Impacts and Details : Closure of the north channel of the Bow River. The main (south) channel will not be impacted. |
| Location : St. Patrick’s Island | Timeframe : Summer 2026 to Summer 2027 | Impacts and Details : Occasional construction equipment access along the pathway network will be guided by flaggers. |
| Location : Bridgeland-Memorial LRT Station | Timeframe : Summer 2027 | Impacts and Details : Occasional closure of access between the Bow River Pathway and LRT station. Access between the Bridgeland-Riverside community and LRT station will not be impacted. |
| Location : General construction impacts | Timeframe : Summer 2026 to Fall 2028 |
Impacts and Details
:
|
Pathway detour map
Below is the pathway detour map during construction. For more details visit the Calgary Pathways & Bikeways map.
About the project
In partnership with the General Hospital Legacy Fund Committee, the new bridges will provide better access and improved safety and will be developed in two stages:
- Current phase (Stage 1): Construction of the new bridge from the north bank over the Bow River to St. Patrick’s Island. (green in map image)
- Future phase (Stage 2): Replacement of the existing bridge over Memorial Drive. (orange in map image)
Project staging plan. Stage 1 (green), Stage 2 (orange).
Rendering of proposed Stage 1 construction of new bridge from north bank over the Bow River to St. Patrick’s Island. Looking north from St. Patrick’s Island.
Rendering of proposed Stage 1 construction of new south plaza. Looking east from north bank.
Rendering of proposed Stage 1 construction of new south ramp and separated walking and wheeling pathways. Looking west from north bank.
Rendering of proposed Stage 1 construction of new bridge from north bank over the Bow River to St. Patrick’s Island. Looking south from north bank.
Contact us
Do you have a specific question about the Bridgeland-Riverside Multimodal Pedestrian Bridge project?
BlindSquare App now LIVE
A new accessibility app is now LIVE in the Bridgeland-Riverside Area!
The City of Calgary is partnering with BlindSquare and CMLC to pilot an accessible GPS navigation app for people who are blind, deafblind, or partially sighted, in the Bridgeland-Riverside area.
The app will connect users to the Bridgeland–Memorial LRT Station, Bow River pathways, and St. Patrick’s Island.
As part of this pilot, we will be collecting user feedback.
Download the app or head to BlindSquare to learn more.
Why are we doing this project?
The project, which will be delivered in stages, will replace the aging LRT/Memorial Drive bridge crossing with a new structure that extends a direct connection to St. Patrick’s Island. The new bridges will be fully multimodal, designed for people walking, wheeling, and cycling. This investment will support sustainable transportation by creating a vibrant, accessible link between the Bridgeland‑Riverside community, LRT station, Bow River pathway, and St. Patrick’s Island. The project will reconnect Bridgeland‑Riverside with nature while enhancing safety, accessibility, and community connection.
Background
In 2020, the Bridgeland Riverside Community Association requested studies for a new bridge that would more directly connect the community to St. Patrick’s Island. The Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) completed the feasibility study and shared the results with the Calgary General Hospital Legacy Fund Review Committee and Executive Committee in 2021. As a result of the studies, the Committees agreed The City should proceed with developing preliminary designs for a new bridge.
The Bridgeland-Riverside community was consulted through online engagement in October and November 2022. The community was asked a series of questions about how it uses the existing pedestrian bridge over Memorial Drive and what its priorities are for a new bridge. The Calgary General Hospital Legacy Fund Review Committee reviewed the community feedback and agreed there is a need for a new bridge to connect more directly to St. Patrick’s Island.
Timeline
The project team continued interested party engagement and completed preliminary design. Detailed design, regulatory applications, and development of the procurement package for Stage 1 construction are ongoing.
Council approved additional funding from the fund reserve to support further development of the project. Bridge options were developed.
The City engaged a consultant team to develop a conceptual design and administered the first round of interested party engagement. An optimized alignment was selected.
A feasibility study administered by the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation established the project goals and design principles and a recommended alignment.
The Calgary General Hospital Legacy Fund was established based on the proceeds from the sales and leases of the Calgary General Hospital and Bow Valley Centre lands. The fund’s intent is to support “healthy Calgary initiatives”.
The community association applied to have the fund sponsor the feasibility study for the project citing their desire to be better connected to nature and surrounding amenities. The initiative was supported by the fund committee as a “healthy Calgary initiative” with the potential to increase access and ease of travel for sustainable transportation.
The Calgary General Hospital Legacy Fund
The Calgary General Hospital Legacy Fund was created in 1997 and uses the annual investment return on net proceeds from the sales and/or leases of the former Calgary General Hospital and Bow Valley Centre lands (BVC Lands).
The Calgary General Hospital Legacy Fund Review Committee chose to fund this project because it is a healthy initiative that will encourage active modes of transportation and help connect the community to the Bow River and St. Patrick's Island.
Design
The new bridge design is being guided by the following principles established as part of the feasibility study:
- Accessibility and Safety: Improve accessibility and safety between the community, Bridgeland-Memorial LRT Station, and surrounding amenities.
- Community Building, Placemaking, and Economic Benefit: Create a connection between the community, the Bridgeland-Memorial LRT Station, and St. Patrick’s Island that celebrates its unique location and provides access to more pathways, parks, and amenities. Re-establish the connection between the community and the Bow River focused on resilience, community experience, and wellbeing.
- Sustainability and Reducing Environmental Impact: Support sustainable transportation and design for climate change. Incorporate durable, low maintenance materials and native, hardy landscaping. Reduce footprint and disruption of existing natural areas.
- Implementation and Constructability: Maintain access to the community and Bridgeland-Memorial LRT Station throughout construction.
Budget
The Calgary General Hospital Legacy Fund has committed approximately $17M to support the project.