Drumheller residents and visitors may have some delays this summer as work ramps up on the Gordon Taylor Bridge.
On Thursday and Friday of last week, crews were on the bridge doing some preliminary work before undertaking a major renovation expected to commence in May. Some of this work includes installing a protective net to not disturb birds that make their home under the bridge.
Bridge rehabilitation work consists of the widening of the clear bridge width, as well as modifications to existing roadways and connecting paths at the bridge approaches. The driving lanes and shoulders will be widened and the east sidewalk will be eliminated.
The construction is expected to take two years.
Commencing in May until fall of 2024, there will be a single lane with alternating traffic with signalized lights. Through the off-season, there will be two lanes of traffic with a barrier separation. Construction will ramp up again in the spring of 2025 with alternating traffic in a single lane.
Pedestrian crossing over the bridge will be maintained by the contractor and open for the duration of the project.
The work will take place between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. seven days a week. If night work is required, information will be posted on the site prior to work beginning.
When completed there will be two 3.7 metre driving lanes, each with a 1.95 metre shoulder and a single sidewalk with a clear width of 2.5 metres.
