Traffic on Whoop-Up Drive, file photo. (Image: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Lethbridge City Council debates feasibility of third bridge

Oct 12, 2022 | 12:16 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Planning work continues on a potential third bridge across the coulees in Lethbridge.

An update was provided at the Lethbridge City Council meeting on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, on the Third Bridge River Crossing Review.

Joe Olson with Stantec, a firm hired by the City of Lethbridge for the review, says that another river crossing will be required by 2030-2040.

There are two proposed locations for a third river crossing. The Chinook Trail location would connect University Drive West with Scenic Drive South while another would see a bridge go from the Popson Park area to a spot further south.

Stantec considers Chinook Trail to be the preferred option as it would be far less expensive and would be more effective at diverting traffic away from Whoop-Up Drive.

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The current cost estimate for the Chinook Trail bridge is approximately $188 million, while the one at Popson Park is just over $278 million. Based on prior cost estimates of $200 million to $300 million and a 10-year loan paid with a three percent interest rate, all taxpayers in Lethbridge would see a tax hike of between 14.5% and 22.1%.

READ MORE: Third bridge would result in 14-22% tax increase in Lethbridge

Much of the discussion at council was on whether or not a third bridge is necessary.

Councillor John Middleton-Hope says he lives in west Lethbridge and does not see a need for an additional crossing.

He believes it would be better to focus the city’s resources on building more commercial developments on the west side as the majority of Lethbridge’s population growth is in that sector.

Because of the high population growth rate on the west side, Olson says future traffic needs cannot be ignored. As there are currently only two bridges carrying drivers between the west and south sides, he adds that a major collision on one often leads to significant backups on the other.

As part of the 2021 municipal election, 60.41% of voters said “yes” to a referendum question on whether they support plans to construct a third bridge prior to 2030 as a municipal capital project priority.

Mayor Blaine Hyggen says he knows that the topic of a third bridge is always a major discussion point in the city.

“We acknowledge that 60 per cent of voters who responded yes to the non-binding ballot question at the 2021 Municipal Election may not have been fully aware of the potential costs and many other factors involved with a future project of this scope,” says Hyggen.

Further recommendations on the potential third bridge are expected once the City of Lethbridge Transportation Master Plan is completed.

The full report from Stantec can be viewed on the City of Lethbridge website.

READ MORE: City of Lethbridge releases official municipal election results