The Jack Tennant Memorial Bridge in Cochrane, AB has officially opened. Named after the longtime Cochrane resident, the new bridge does what he was best known for: connecting the community.
The new three-span bridge, about 160 m in total length, provides a second connection across the Bow River, offering an alternative route for Cochrane residents traveling from the north and south sides of the town.
The bridge is designed with a single pier in the river, and the second pier adjacent to the river. The outer spans are about 51m (165 ft) each with the central span being about 58m (190 ft). The piers have been designed with two columns to improve visibility for users beneath the bridge and the overall bridge aesthetics. The deck is about 14m above the normal water level in the river at its highest point.
“This $53 million bridge and roadway project was made possible, in part, because of the great partnerships the Town of Cochrane has with organizations such as PCL Construction,” said Cochrane Mayor Jeff Genung.
PCL Construction broke ground in 2018. The bridge is the largest capital project in the Town’s history.
“I am truly proud of the project team,” said Ankur Talwar, PCL manager civil operations in Calgary. “Their ingenuity and dedication to the Jack Tennant Memorial Bridge have been evident throughout the project, and this is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the Town of Cochrane and its newest addition.”
To ensure the successful construction of the Jack Tennant Memorial Bridge, the project team took to the water. The team installed in-river berms and cofferdams to accommodate the wildlife and changing seasons during construction.
The Jack Tennant Memorial Bridge won a 2020 Award of Merit from the Consulting Engineers of Alberta in the Project Management category for the innovative approach to procurement. RJC was the bridge engineer for the project and Urban Systems was prime consultant and civil engineer for the roadway.
