Edmonton's iconic 113-year-old High Level Bridge has reached the end of its service life and will need to be replaced by 2042, while its Low Level counterpart is slated for replacement by 2034, according to a city update released Tuesday.
Scaled-Back Closures
Work on the High Level Bridge is being significantly reduced. Instead of a previously anticipated three-year closure starting in 2027, the project now involves a projected three-month window in 2028. The Low Level Bridge work will still take nearly a year.
City officials have been evaluating both bridges since 2022. Initial plans focused on rehabilitation, but with both structures over a century old and climate change accelerating deterioration, long-term maintenance costs exceed $1 billion. Replacing them at a similar cost is deemed more practical.
Short-Term Plans
As key traffic arteries into downtown, both bridges must remain operational while new bridges are built. Temporary repairs will extend their lifespan until replacement plans are finalized.
Traffic Impacts
Northbound lane work on the Low Level Bridge is expected to take most of 2027, with northbound traffic rerouted to the James MacDonald Bridge. The High Level Bridge closure will be limited to three months in 2028.
Mayor Andrew Knack expressed interest in an expedited construction approach similar to last year's LRT intersection projects, but noted feasibility challenges. "I still think a lot of work has to happen before we finalize when certain projects will occur," he said. "Bridges need to be replaced — you can't kick that can down the road; that is a real safety issue."
Low Level Bridge History
The Low Level Bridge consists of two structures: the historic northbound side completed in 1900, and the southbound lane built in 1949 and rehabilitated last year. Ironically, the older bridge is in better condition. The southbound bridge will be decommissioned, while the northbound bridge's future is uncertain — it could become a pedestrian bridge or be removed. Modern bridges typically have a 100-year lifespan.
