The 2025 Chestermere Boulevard Bridge Assessment confirmed that the existing sidewalk girders have deteriorated to a point where they can no longer provide safe structural performance. Engineering inspectors identified severe spalling, extensive reinforcement corrosion, and multiple ruptured shear stirrups, leaving these components with zero remaining service life and at risk of sudden, brittle failure without warning.
Given that this structure serves as the only east–west pedestrian connection across Chestermere Lake, maintaining uninterrupted and safe public access is critical for residents, schools, recreation users, and emergency response continuity.
To immediately mitigate the risks highlighted in the assessment, the most responsible and timely course of action is to replace the sidewalk girders now. This targeted rehabilitation will restore safe pedestrian functionality in the short term, prevent unplanned closures or emergency restrictions, and significantly reduce liability exposure.
