This release was issued under a previous government.

“Re-opening one lane of this bridge across the Red Deer River is another milestone in Alberta’s ongoing recovery from the devastating floods. Our staff, consultants and contractors collaborated to restore access so the community could move forward. I thank residents for their patience as we responded.”

- Ric McIver, Minister of Transportation

Flood recovery

On June 21, the Red Deer River rose quickly as the main flow moved to the east. By June 22, the approach road and abutment at the east end of the Garrington Bridge had washed out.

Local crews and contractors worked hundreds of hours to rebuild the approach to the bridge and build up the road foundation. New riverbank protection works upstream of the bridge will be complete by the end of November to mitigate potential damage from future flooding.

Traffic access

Although the bridge is still under repair, the Alberta government felt it was important to provide local residents with safe access as soon as feasible. Highway 587 is restricted to one lane at both approaches to the bridge to allow additional work to continue. This includes paving the road adjacent to the bridge to create a permanent approach, installing a new guardrail and completing related work.

Traffic control devices are in place to control traffic.

Both lanes of Highway 587 approaching the bridge should be open to traffic within a few weeks, when all work has been completed.

On average, about 1,100 vehicles cross the bridge every day, connecting hundreds of Albertans to their homes, schools, businesses and the rest of the province.

Of the 985 kilometres of provincial roads and bridges closed due to flood damage, 857 kms (87%) have already been reopened to date.

Our government was elected to keep building Alberta, to live within its means and to fight to open new markets for Alberta’s resources. 

Multimedia

Garrington Bridge in Red Deer County

More Alberta flood photos

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