Welcome. Mill Creek Ravine Pedestrian Bridges Rehabilitation. Public Information Session #1. Thursday, October 27, :00 8:00 p.m.

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1 Welcome Mill Creek Ravine Pedestrian Bridges Rehabilitation Public Information Session #1 Thursday, October 27, :00 8:00 p.m. Tonight you can: Learn about the rehabilitation of 5 pedestrian bridges Ask the project team questions Leave us your feedback

2 76 Ave 76 Ave Project Site Plan 75 Ave 74 Ave 73 Ave B Ave 72 Ave 71 Ave RITCHIE 91 St B032 B198 B St 87 St 83 St AVONMORE 81 St 81 St 73 Ave B St 96 St 95 St 93 St 68 Ave HAZELDEAN 84 St Argyll Rd ARGYLL 66 Ave B### Trestle Bridge Location/Number B### Glulam Bridge Location/Number Upper Asphalt Trail Lower Gravel Trail

3 MILL CREEK RAVINE PEDESTRIAN 8 9 St 76 Ave Overview The bridges are in need of rehabilitation to prolong their life span B St B032 Glulam bridges (B198, B200) on the lower gravel trail are being replaced 93 St B029 B### Trestle Bridge Location/Number Upper Asphalt Trail B### Glulam Bridge Location/Number Lower Gravel Trail B198 t S Two trestle bridges (B032, B033) on the upper asphalt trail are being repaired 73 Ave B Trestle bridge (B029) on the upper asphalt trail is being replaced

4 Project Schedule We are Here Preliminary Design (2016) Early Bridge Design Complete Spring Public Information Session # Construction (may include winter months) Detail Design ( ) Impacts to Trails Tender (2017) Construction staging options are being reviewed to minimize trail disruptions and determine detours Each bridge will be fully closed during its rehabilitation Construction ( ) Details will be provided at Public Information Session #2, which will be held in spring 2017 Please provide comments relating to the detours in the comment form

5 Trestle Bridge History The three trestle bridges were constructed in 1902 as part of The Edmonton, Yukon and Pacific Railway The railway was established to connect the Calgary and Edmonton Railway to the Canadian Northern Railway The railway followed Mill Creek Ravine into the river valley, taking advantage of the ravine to maintain a gradual 1% grade The railway crossed the North Saskatchewan River by way of the Low Level Bridge, which was the first bridge connection between Strathcona (south of the river) and Edmonton (north of the river) The total length of the railway was 12 km and it was deemed the shortest railway with the longest name The railway was decommissioned in 1958 The bridges were converted for pedestrian use after ownership was transferred to the City in the 1970s

6 Historical Resource Review A historical review of the three trestle bridges has been conducted These three structures will be formally documented for historical reference based on the Historical Resource Act as per direction from Alberta Culture and Tourism Bridge B029 Bridge B032 Bridge B033

7 Public and Stakeholder Survey The City conducted a survey in July 2016 to understand views about the historical significance of the trestle bridges 2789 responses were received The survey was administered online (Edmonton Insight Community and general public) and through intercept surveys in Mill Creek Ravine What we heard: The results indicate the majority of respondents (87%) feel the Mill Creek Ravine trestle bridges have historic value and that the rehabilitation of these bridges should generally replicate or mimic their current design We listened: Following rehabilitation, the trestle bridges will maintain an authentic look and feel, while improving safety and Existing Bridge B033 functionality

8 Environmental Assessment What is an environmental assessment? An environmental assessment describes the existing conditions of the project area and, based on potential interactions between the proposed project and components of the environment, identifies potential environmental impacts and determines ways to minimize negative impacts to the environment. Why is an environmental assessment required for this project? The City of Edmonton s North Saskatchewan River Valley Area Redevelopment Plan (Bylaw 7188) exists to ensure preservation of the natural character and environment of the plan area, which includes all of Mill Creek Ravine In support of this objective, the bylaw stipulates that all proposed developments within the bylaw boundaries must be subject to an environmental assessment The Mill Creek pedestrian bridges project is located within the bylaw boundaries, necessitating an environmental assessment The environmental assessment will be reviewed and approved by City administration before being reviewed for approval by City Council Environmental approvals are required prior to starting construction

9 Environmental Assessment What is being assessed? Geotechnical/slope stability/soils Hydrology/surface drainage Vegetation Wildlife and wildlife habitat Habitat connectivity Recreational land use Visual resources Historical resources The project requires the following environmental approvals: The environmental assessment by City Council Alberta Water Act (Code of Practice notification) Alberta Public Lands Act (Temporary Field Authorization and/or Department Licence of Occupation) What has been completed to date? Work on the environmental assessment is ongoing. The following specific environmental work has been completed or is underway: Tree removals Yellow Lady Slipper Geotechnical assessment Hydrological study Plant community and rare plant surveys Breeding bird survey Environmental Site Assessment (soil contaminant testing) Historical Resources Act clearance for archaeology and paleontology Tree Removal Assessment Completion of the environmental assessment is anticipated in November 2016 The assessment will be presented to Council in early 2017

10 Tree Removal As part of the Bridge Rehabilitation Strategy, trees and shrubs 5 m on either side of all the bridges will be removed and a few select trees beyond 5 m will also be removed This is for maintaining the health of the wood structures Air flow around the bridges is critical to keep the wood dry and prevent rotting The City has Tree Protection Guidelines A tree removal assessment has been performed by the City Tree compensation will be provided for tree removals for this project as per the City s corporate tree policy Tree removal will occur prior to construction Rotting Wood - B033

11 Trestle Bridge B029 Construction Scope: Bridge B029 will be replaced to match the existing structure, except with an alternate style handrail Widening the bridge deck from 3.2 m to 4.2 m to meet current Transportation Association of Canada standards Improving structural durability Enhancing bridge approaches Constructing new concrete abutments

12 Trestle Bridges B032 & B033 Construction Scope: Bridges B032 and B033 will be repaired while maintaining their historical look Replace rotten wood (decking, stringers, pier piles and bracing) Construct new concrete abutments Add new handrails (help us decide between Option A and Option B) Widen the bridge deck from 3.2 m to 4.2 m to meet current Transportation Association of Canada standards Improve structural durability Repair and improve erosion protection in the vicinity of the bridge Stabilize bridge head slopes Remove piers from creek and replace with new truss span Enhance bridge approaches Bridge B033 - Piers in creek to be removed

13 Bridge B032 Rehabilitation Concept Existing Bridge Handrail Handrail Option A Modern (Shown) See Handrail Option Board for details

14 Bridge B033 Rehabilitation Concept Existing Bridge Handrail Handrail Option B Classic (Shown) See Handrail Option Board for details

15 Bridge Handrail Options Help Us Decide Option A - Modern Option B - Classic Place your dot in the box next to the option you prefer or fill out the comment form The preferred option will be used on all three trestle bridges

16 Glulam Bridges B198 and B200 Construction Scope: Bridges B198 and B200 will be replaced with similar structures Construct new concrete abutments and foundations Widen bridge deck from 2.4 m to 3.0 m Enhance bridge approaches

17 Historical Importance Feedback from the survey conducted in summer 2016 indicated a strong preference to include an explanation of the historical significance of the trestle bridges in the ravine. We are considering options at this time. Example: Plaque located at the trestle bridge at 76 Avenue in Edmonton

18 Other City Projects underway in Mill Creek Ravine Mill Creek Daylighting Feasibility Study Contact: Achyut Adhikari Mill Creek Water Quality Study Website: Mill Creek Multiple Trail Realignments Contact: Shannon Hall Queen Elizabeth Park Combined Sewer Overflow Project Contact: Arjun Aryal LRT Valley Line Project Website: General website for Mill Creek Ravine Information: edmonton.ca/millcreekravine

19 Thank you! The next Mill Creek Ravine Pedestrian Bridges Rehabilitation Public Information Session Will be held in the spring of 2017 prior to construction More construction and detour details will be provided at that time Please fill out a comment form, we value your feedback See you again in the spring Visit our website: edmonton.ca/millcreekpedbridges