The City of Calgary takes a proactive approach to protecting, replacing and upgrading aging water assets. The water main beneath Rideau and 30 Avenue S.W. was selected for replacement and upgrading. This project will help reduce future, emergency water main breaks and service interruptions by replacing aging mains with new pipes. 

Work on the watermain beneath Rideau and 30 Avenue S.W. is planned to begin in summer 2025. Some of the planned work is adjacent to Rideau School but work is not scheduled to begin until after school lets out for the summer. Scheduling construction over the summer months while students are on summer break helps to minimize congestion and construction impacts during school pick-up and drop-off times. This water main extension work will provide improved water system redundancy and provide increased fire protection levels for residents by installation of additional fire hydrants and increased water flow capacities through the new, larger pipes.

• Actual completion time may vary depending on the condition of the soil, existing utilities and weather. Nearby businesses and residents will receive notification of the work in their community prior to work beginning.

• Work hours can vary from each location, but residents can expect typical hours to be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. During construction, there may be a need for temporary water service and possible water shut offs for nearby buildings.

• Temporary street parking restrictions and/or closures will occur during construction; interested parties will be notified in advance so they can make alternate plans.

• Work schedules will be finalized in the coming months, at this time the proposed time of work will be July and August. 

Updates will be shared via the Mission Bridge Rehabilitation Project newsletter and here on the project page. Notices to nearby residents will be delivered ahead of the work starting.

Mission Bridge is a vital connection for walking, driving or wheeling in the Mission District. The bridge was built in 1886 and was the first bridge spanning the Elbow River; it opened to traffic in 1915, making it one of Calgary’s oldest bridges. This three-lane bridge spans the Elbow River and connects the communities of Roxboro and Rideau to the Mission District. We’re restoring the Mission Bridge so that its life is extended by about 35 years; part of this restoration includes mobility upgrades for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. The improvements are necessary to ensure the bridge continues to be safe, functional and in good condition for everyone to use. Lighting enhancements, multi-use pathways and traffic signal improvements are some of the improvements this project will bring.

Mission Bridge was made of wood and originally built in 1887.  It was a vital connection between an established Catholic Mission which was in the present-day location of the Holy Cross Hospital.  While the original wooden bridge was located a few blocks south of its current location, it only lasted about 10 years before it needed to be replaced.

When it was replaced, it was rebuilt using steel trusses.

Mission Bridge was replaced again in 1912! A plan to upgrade three "major bridges" in Calgary meant the bridge was rebuilt yet again, this time as a concrete structure.  This makes it one of the oldest concrete bridges still standing in Alberta today.

Mission Bridge has survived several  floods.  When it was rebuilt in 1915, there was a flood which caused delays and sadly, the death of a worker.  During the 2013 flood, it was fully submerged in water from the Elbow River.

The bridge has a storied history and has served Calgarians for over 135 years by creating a connection over the Elbow River. 

This bridge has served our city and its people well for over a hundred years – and we're extending the life  of Mission Bridge by another 35 years with our rehabilitation project so that this iconic bridge can continue to bring Calgarians across the river in the Mission district.

The rehabilitation work on the bridge structure will include:

• general concrete repairs
• construction of a multi-use pathway on the east and west sides of the bridge
• life-cycling of signals at the north intersection of the bridge
• redesign of the three traffic lanes and an overall improvement of the connections at the north and south ends of the bridge
• repairs to the retaining wall and sidewalk located northwest of the bridge following the Elbow River

The project benefits include:

• improving the condition of the bridge and extending its service life by approximately 35 years
• upgrading overall mobility for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists
• enhancing lighting to improve visibility and accessibility
• promoting use of alternative and active modes of transportation by building multi-use pathways on the east and west sides of the bridge
• improving traffic signals at the north end of the bridge
• improving one critical link in the transportation network to accommodate opportunities for Calgary's continued growth in the coming years