The Star Mine Suspension Bridge, that crosses the Red Deer River in Rosedale, reopened to the public on Monday, January 29, after four years of being closed.
The support on the north-east end was in very poor condition, making it unsafe for use, and causing the town to spend $382,600 in repairs. In June of last year, the Town of Drumheller received the land and the work started in November.
“We did an inspection, incidentally during Covid, but because of flood-mitigation, of all the bridge structures in the valley. The Suspension Bridge is held up by four posts, one of which was rotted. This deemed it unsafe for visitors,” Drumheller CAO Darryl Drohomerski told the Mail in the beginning of January 2024.
“We are ecstatic that after almost four years since the suspension bridge was closed because of safety concerns, we are able to say that the bridge has been repaired and can be enjoyed by the public for many years to come. We are happy the land issues have been solved and that the town will have permanent access to the north side of the river for pedestrians and maintenance crews alike,” Drohomerksi shared upon its reopening.
Paid parking is coming this May for those visiting the bridge, except for those residents that have registered for exemption through the HotSpot app.
