We’re making life better by the Bow.
The Bow River has always been integral to Eau Claire. Now we’re making it more resilient and vibrant for those who live, work, and visit the area.
To keep it strong, we’re investing in its future, while honouring its past. Infrastructure projects underway include: extending the Downtown Flood Barrier, improving the Eau Claire Promenade, replacing the Jaipur Bridge, upgrading the pedestrian ramps to the historic Centre Street Bridge, and redesigning Eau Claire Plaza to provide more flexible year-round uses. The projects will help build downtown resilience and vibrancy while generating jobs to assist our economic recovery.
Construction and site preparation is now underway.
Crews have started mobilizing each of the project sites and detour signage has been put in place as main construction kicks off through July. Understanding that construction projects of this scope have an impact on the communities we work in, we are always working to keep you aware of the changes that are coming and make any detours clear and functional for people visiting or travelling in the Eau Claire Area.
For up-to-date information and more detail, please visit our construction and detours webpage. Our website will be updated throughout construction to keep you informed about getting around and what to expect in Eau Claire.
Eau Claire Plaza Update
Pre-construction work wrapped up this spring. Now you will start to see our contractor mobilizing to the area in preparation for main construction at the end of the month. This includes equipment deliveries to site, the installation of more secure fencing, and the establishment of flagging stations and site construction office trailers.
We will be relocating the Eau Claire Lumber Company building to a temporary location nearby this fall. The building needs to be moved so that we can increase the grade within the plaza to align with the flood protection and infrastructure scheduled for the area.
The New Jaipur Bridge
Construction of the new Jaipur bridge is underway. The contractor has started to mobilize the site, which means increased construction activity, fencing, and pathway detours will be in place starting in July.
The below schedule shows the type of work you can expect through July and August.
July:
- Pathway detour installed through Eau Claire Plaza.
- Area preparation, including tree protection.
- Draining of the Eau Claire Lagoon.
August:
- Lagoon berm construction.
- Pathway detour installed through Prince’s Island Park.
- Bridge demolition.
The demolition of the existing Jaipur Bridge is anticipated to occur throughout the entire month of August. This means there will be an increase in construction vehicles, noise, and activity in the area.
The New Jaipur Bridge is expected to be completed in fall 2022. To stay up to date or to learn the history of the Jaipur-Calgary relationship, visit our project page.
Downtown Flood Barrier and Eau Claire Promenade
The contract for the Downtown Flood Barrier and Eau Claire Promenade has been awarded and we are working to finalize our schedule and sequencing. Details on our major construction milestones will be communicated on our construction and detours page as we move forward.
We know that the contractors will start to mobilize, and you will see site fencing, pathway closures, and increased construction activity in the area starting at the end of July. Please follow the detour signage, and visit our website for more information on the detours in the area.
The information below outlines the type of work you can expect to see in the area in July and August:
July:
- Pathway detours in place along the Bow River Pathway and River Walk.
- Fencing installed from Jaipur Bridge to Reconciliation Bridge.
- Area preparation; including tree protection and creating site access for construction.
- Draining of the Eau Claire Lagoon.
August:
- Demolition, including salvage and removal.
- Sheet piling starting on the east side of Centre Street.
- Work in-stream along the Bow River at Centre Street.
We know there are businesses and residents directly impacted by our construction activities. We will do our best to provide notification of the most impactful activities to those residents in a timely manner.
Centre Street Pedestrian Ramp Improvements
To complete the Centre Street Pedestrian Ramp Improvements, access to the ramps will be closed in the coming weeks. From there, the existing ramps will be removed, and new ramps will be installed for spring 2022. This work is being done in coordination with the Downtown Flood Barrier and Eau Claire Promenade.
While the ramps are under construction, people walking and wheeling in the area will be detoured to the pathway detours.
3 Avenue Detour
Crews have started the underground utility work, saw cutting and excavation on the road, and signal concrete base construction for the 3 Avenue detour. You will see crews on 1 Street SE between 3 Avenue and Riverfront Avenue throughout July, as we prepare for the construction of the 3 Avenue detour.
These signals and their locations have been selected as strategic improvements for both near and long-term safety improvements that will benefit pedestrians and all other users of the roadway.
As we progress, more details on schedule and staging will be provided. The 3 Avenue detour is expected to be in place in fall 2021. Please refer to our construction and detours page for ongoing construction updates.
Stay connected!
Have questions or concerns about project construction? Call 311 or email us at [email protected]
