Mission Bridge Rehabilitation
Project update
Temporary eastbound lane closure on 26 Avenue S.W.
From June 2 to June 21, the eastbound lane of 26 Avenue S.W. will be temporarily closed from the 4 Street S.W. intersection to 2 Street S.W. to accommodate construction on Mission Bridge. Eastbound traffic will be detoured via a marked route.
In addition to the lane closure, portions of the intersection at 4 Street S.W. and 26 Avenue S.W. will also be closed.
Pedestrian and cyclist access across the west side of the bridge will remain open. Access to the Elbow River Pathway along 26 Avenue is closed from 4 Street to 2 Street for approximately 3 weeks and will reopen for Stampede while the section from 5 Street to 4 Street will remain closed until the end of the project.
Please be sure to follow all posted construction and detour signage in the area for your safety and that of construction crews.
Two-way traffic lanes now open
As of Monday, May 12, two lanes on the west side of Mission Bridge have reopened—restoring two-way traffic across the bridge. One lane is opened for northbound vehicles and one for southbound. We thank Calgarians for their patience while we were completing important rehabilitation work inside the bridge.
One lane on the east side remains closed while rehabilitation work continues. Pedestrian and wheeling access to and over Mission Bridge is maintained. Access to the Elbow River Pathway along 26 Avenue is now closed from 4 Street to 2 Street for approximately 6 weeks and will reopen for Stampede while the section from 5 Street to 4 Street will remain closed until the end of the project.
Please be sure to follow all posted construction and detour signage in the area for your safety and that of construction crews.
Updates will continue to be posted here so be sure to check back regularly. While construction is ongoing, we ask and thank you for your ongoing patience as crews work hard to rehabilitate this historic bridge.
Project timeline
The project remains on track for substantial completion by the end of 2025. Here’s a look at what’s been completed and what’s still ahead.
Completed:
- Construction started (Spring 2024)
- Mission Road paving
- Retaining wall reconstruction
- Bridge backfill completion
- Bridge reopening to 2-way traffic
Upcoming milestones:
- East pathway completion
- Bridge paving
- West pathway completion
- Substantial completion
Construction activities are dependent on several factors. Timelines may change due to inclement weather, complexity, supply chain, and/or other unexpected circumstances.
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Contact us
Have questions or want to learn more about the projects? Contact the project team at: missionbridgerehab@Calgary.ca
Nearby project: Water main extension work summer 2025
The City of Calgary takes a proactive approach to protecting, replacing and upgrading aging water assets. The water main beneath Rideau and 30 Avenue S.W. was selected for replacement and upgrading. This project will help reduce future, emergency water main breaks and service interruptions by replacing aging mains with new pipes.
Work on the watermain beneath Rideau and 30 Avenue S.W. is planned to begin in summer 2025. Some of the planned work is adjacent to Rideau School but work is not scheduled to begin until after school lets out for the summer. Scheduling construction over the summer months while students are on summer break helps to minimize congestion and construction impacts during school pick-up and drop-off times. This water main extension work will provide improved water system redundancy and provide increased fire protection levels for residents by installation of additional fire hydrants and increased water flow capacities through the new, larger pipes.
What to expect during construction
- Actual completion time may vary depending on the condition of the soil, existing utilities and weather. Nearby businesses and residents will receive notification of the work in their community prior to work beginning.
- Work hours can vary from each location, but residents can expect typical hours to be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. During construction, there may be a need for temporary water service and possible water shut offs for nearby buildings.
- Temporary street parking restrictions and/or closures will occur during construction; interested parties will be notified in advance so they can make alternate plans.
- Work schedules will be finalized in the coming months, at this time the proposed time of work will be July and August.
Updates will be shared via the Mission Bridge Rehabilitation Project newsletter and here on the project page. Notices to nearby residents will be delivered ahead of the work starting.
About the project
Mission Bridge is a vital connection for walking, driving or wheeling in the Mission District. The bridge was built in 1886 and was the first bridge spanning the Elbow River; it opened to traffic in 1915, making it one of Calgary’s oldest bridges. This three-lane bridge spans the Elbow River and connects the communities of Roxboro and Rideau to the Mission District. We’re restoring the Mission Bridge so that its life is extended by about 35 years; part of this restoration includes mobility upgrades for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. The improvements are necessary to ensure the bridge continues to be safe, functional and in good condition for everyone to use. Lighting enhancements, multi-use pathways and traffic signal improvements are some of the improvements this project will bring.
Did you know: History moment
Mission Bridge was made of wood and originally built in 1887. It was a vital connection between an established Catholic Mission which was in the present-day location of the Holy Cross Hospital. While the original wooden bridge was located a few blocks south of its current location, it only lasted about 10 years before it needed to be replaced.
When it was replaced, it was rebuilt using steel trusses.
Mission Bridge was replaced again in 1912! A plan to upgrade three "major bridges" in Calgary meant the bridge was rebuilt yet again, this time as a concrete structure. This makes it one of the oldest concrete bridges still standing in Alberta today.
Mission Bridge has survived several floods. When it was rebuilt in 1915, there was a flood which caused delays and sadly, the death of a worker. During the 2013 flood, it was fully submerged in water from the Elbow River.
The bridge has a storied history and has served Calgarians for over 135 years by creating a connection over the Elbow River.
This bridge has served our city and its people well for over a hundred years – and we're extending the life of Mission Bridge by another 35 years with our rehabilitation project so that this iconic bridge can continue to bring Calgarians across the river in the Mission district.
Scope of work
The rehabilitation work on the bridge structure will include:
- general concrete repairs
- construction of a multi-use pathway on the east and west sides of the bridge
- life-cycling of signals at the north intersection of the bridge
- redesign of the three traffic lanes and an overall improvement of the connections at the north and south ends of the bridge
- repairs to the retaining wall and sidewalk located northwest of the bridge following the Elbow River
Benefits
The project benefits include:
- improving the condition of the bridge and extending its service life by approximately 35 years
- upgrading overall mobility for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists
- enhancing lighting to improve visibility and accessibility
- promoting use of alternative and active modes of transportation by building multi-use pathways on the east and west sides of the bridge
- improving traffic signals at the north end of the bridge
- improving one critical link in the transportation network to accommodate opportunities for Calgary's continued growth in the coming years
Photos of current conditions
Budget
The project budget is $17.8M.