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After over 100 years of service, the historic 12 Street SE Bridge that spanned the Bow River has successfully been removed. The 1908-built bridge, originally designed to carry horse and buggy, entered stages of serious deterioration that warranted the drafting of plans for a replacement structure. The vehicular, pedestrian and cycling link connected to the Calgary Zoo on the south side of St. George's Island.
Windy weather postponed plans to remove the bridge last Wednesday and again on Friday, when crews discovered the weight of the bridge was heavier than computer models predicted. On Monday morning, a large crane began the perilous task of dislodging the bridge from its long-established setting, an operation that lasted approximately 45 minutes. With the bridge now safely resting on St. George's Island, crews will dismantle it piece by piece. Parts of the structure will be preserved and repurposed in public spaces throughout the city.
The intricate move drew flocks of bystanders, with their cameras and phones at the ready, who patiently watched the exercise unfold. The operation took place alongside the new 12 Street SE Bridge, which is currently under construction and expected to be ready for traffic in the winter.
Similar age-related issues have stricken the 9 Avenue SE Bridge over the Elbow River, which will also be removed after work on the 12 Street SE Bridge wraps up. If all goes according to plan, construction on the 1909-built bridge will take place in 2018.
