A summary of public information about the pedestrian bridge project
Because of interest in the pedestrian bridge project, I thought a one-stop source of information might be useful to people. I have summarized below some of the information that has been publicly available about this project over the past few years. I apologize if I have missed some – this was just what came up when I used the search function. In each case, I’ve briefly noted what the information is, then provided a link to the original.
COVERAGE IN MY BLOG SINCE THE 2007 ELECTION:
April 12, 2008: Caribou Properties pledges $100,000 donation for bridge between Central Park and Rec Grounds, say they will give $200,000 for a bridge in the Muskrat Street location – town still needs to fundraise $384K
http://www.lataylor.com/node/69
April 27, 2008: I describe my concerns with the Central Park location
http://www.lataylor.com/node/70
July 12, 2008: bridge project is put on hold because the tenders came in way above the budget
http://www.lataylor.com/node/77
August 9, 2009: Central Park bridge project to be awarded for 2.55 million, contingent on the Town getting a grant for it. I express my concerns about what it will do to Central Park
http://www.lataylor.com/node/122
April 24, 2011: I describe the ped bridge/sewer siphon idea for the Muskrat Street location
http://www.lataylor.com/node/171
July 17, 2011: The ped bridge/sewer syphon project is coming to council for approval
http://www.lataylor.com/node/175
January 21, 2012: Name of the contractor and bridge sketch coming to council for information
http://www.lataylor.com/archive/201201
SAMPLES OF COVERAGE ON THE TOWN’S WEBSITE:
To see how a Central Park/Rec Grounds bridge would cut into Central Park and the riverside trail, go to this link and scroll down to page 55:
http://www.banff.ca/Assets/PDFs/Town+Hall+PDF/Council+Agendas+PDF/2009+Agendas+PDF/council-agenda-090810.pdf
To see the report that first introduced the idea of a joint ped bridge/sewer siphon at Muskrat St location, go to this link and scroll down to page 59:
http://www.banff.ca/Assets/PDFs/Town+Hall+PDF/Council+Agendas+PDF/2011+Agendas+PDF/council-agenda-110509.pdf
To see the report exploring four different options for replacing the sewer lines across the Bow River, go to this link and scroll down to page 166. You can see comparative cost estimates starting on page 173. Please note that options 1, 2 and 3 provide a sewer crossing only – no ped bridge, no ambulance access. Cost for a ped bridge at Central Park (no sewer crossing, no ambulance access) was $2.55 million the last time it was tendered, exclusive of any work to be done on access trails etc.
http://www.banff.ca/Assets/PDFs/Town+Hall+PDF/Council+Agendas+PDF/2011+Agendas+PDF/council-agenda-110718.pdf
COVERAGE IN THE CRAG AND CANYON SINCE 2007 ELECTION:
April 1, 2008: Caribou Properties pledges $100,000 donation for bridge between Central Park and Rec Grounds, say they will give $200,000 for a bridge in the Muskrat Street location
http://www.banffcragandcanyon.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?archive=true&e=2367390
July 16, 2008: Ped bridge put on hold because donations/sponsorships have not materialized
http://www.banffcragandcanyon.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?archive=true&e=1117269
June 16, 2009: Town applies for a grant for a pedestrian bridge
http://www.banffcragandcanyon.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?archive=true&e=1615130
Aug 11, 2009: Tender for Central Park/Rec Grounds bridge awarded, contingent on the grant coming through
http://www.banffcragandcanyon.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?archive=true&e=1695079
July 20, 2011: Ped bridge/sewer syphon in Muskrat Street location approved for inclusion in the capital budget
http://www.banffcragandcanyon.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?archive=true&e=3222352
COVERAGE IN ROCKY MOUNTAIN OUTLOOK OVER PAST YEAR:
April 28, 2011: Ped bridge/sewer siphon in Muskrat Street location suggested as a good option
http://www.rmoutlook.com/article/20110428/RMO0801/304289994
July 21, 2011: council votes to construct Ped bridge/sewer siphon in Muskrat Street location
http://www.rmoutlook.com/article/20110721/RMO0801/307219984
Dec 1, 2011: capital budget debate includes ped bridge/sewer siphon project
http://www.rmoutlook.com/article/20111201/RMO0801/312019999
Jan 26, 2012: Residents in neighbourhood oppose ped bridge
http://www.rmoutlook.com/article/20120126/RMO0801/301269979