City of Red Deer staff have been given more time to cost out a pedestrian bridge to Capstone.
The prospect of building a second bridge downstream of the CPR Pedestrian Bridge was a hot topic during budget talks last December.
Coun. Victor Doerksen is an enthusiastic proponent of another pedestrian bridge and believes it would attract investment and spur development in Capstone. Doerksen said he would like to see the bridge added to the 2025-32 capital plan.
However, a bridge cannot be added to the budget without a better handle on what it could cost.
City manager Tara Lodewyk told council the price might range from $5 million to $30 million depending on the kind of bridge chosen.
Council directed administration to return with a briefing on the options, including a cost estimate and potential construction timeline. That was to happen in the first quarter, which ends on March 31.
Staff will need just a little more time council was told recently. The briefing is expected to be ready by the April 3 council meeting.
The CPR bridge is expected to get a major overhaul this year. Council approved $5.6 million in this year’s budget for the project, which also received $11 million in federal funding.
The major project will see corroded steel trestles, concrete foundations and decking replaced and the bridge will get a new paint job and better lighting.
The bridge was built in 1908 and was used by trains until 1990, when the rail lines were moved from the downtown to the west side of the city.