Graham completes innovative Calgary pedestrian bridge
The bridge connects critical medical facilities, transportation hubs, local pathways, and the rapidly growing UXBorough development, and adjacent communities.
Graham’s 16th Avenue at 29th Street Pedestrian Overpass in Calgary has been substantially completed and has officially opened to the public.
The company noted that this milestone marks a noteworthy achievement, coming exactly one year after construction began last winter.
The pedestrian overpass is a showcase of precision engineering and thoughtful design. Featuring a single-span steel through truss with precast panels, the overpass includes architectural handrails embedded with LED lighting, cast-in-place concrete ramps and stairs, and integrated landscaping and pathway tie-ins. Spanning 50m over 16th Avenue NW (Trans-Canada Highway), it provides a safe and accessible connection between critical medical facilities, transportation hubs, local pathways, and the rapidly growing UXBorough development, and adjacent communities.
Graham delivered the construction on time and on budget. Key construction highlights include:
- Foundation and Structure: 26 concrete piles, each ranging from 13 to 18 metres deep, support the 50-metre steel bridge, which features precast concrete deck panels.
- Innovative Formwork: Custom-molded foam formwork was used to achieve the intricate curves of the ramps and column caps, ensuring both functionality and aesthetics.
Site Logistics: The construction was executed within a compact 5,600m² site footprint, adjacent to the bustling 16th Avenue and Foothills Medical Centre/ Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre, showcasing the team’s ability to manage high-traffic environments effectively. - Steel Fabrication and Installation: The steel bridge was fabricated in Montana and transported to Calgary in three massive sections. The planning, coordination, and logistics involved in this process exemplified teamwork and precision. On-site, the sections were welded together and lifted into place with millimeter accuracy using two cranes.
- Safety and Accessibility Features: The project included 460m of galvanized pedestrian railing, equipped with custom lighting pods to illuminate the ramps and bridge, enhancing both safety and aesthetics.
This achievement was made possible by the dedicated efforts of the City of Calgary (Owner), Parsons Inc. (Consultant), Western Securities (UXBorough developer), Alberta Health Services (AHS), and Graham Construction.
