A 118-year-old railway bridge in east Edmonton is getting some major upgrades.
The Clover Bar Railway Bridge, which crosses the North Saskatchewan River parallel to Yellowhead Trail in the city’s east end, is undergoing rehabilitation, including repairs to its river piers and the replacement of five bridge spans.
Originally built in 1908, the 504-metre-long bridge is being upgraded by CN to accommodate a second track, turning it from a single-track into a double-track crossing.
Work on the three large truss spans over the river will involve two temporary cofferdams and twin 650-tonne all-terrain cranes. A single large crane will replace the two smaller spans over land.
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CN also plans to inspect and repair the bridge’s concrete piers where needed, replace steel nosing plates, and add riprap around the pier bases.
Some modifications to the river valley slopes next to the shoreline are also expected to make room for the large equipment needed to replace the spans.
According to Major Projects Alberta, construction is underway, with work expected to continue through 2028.
The work also comes as the City of Edmonton looks at replacing some of its oldest river crossings, including the High Level Bridge and Low Level Bridges, which are nearing the end of their service lives.
A May report to Edmonton City Council found that the 113-year-old High Level Bridge is in worse condition than previously believed, with rehabilitation costs soaring. The City said rehabilitation is no longer a practical long-term solution, with major work needed every 20 to 25 years.
Meanwhile, repairs to the southbound Low Level Bridge were completed in 2025, and rehabilitation work on the 126-year-old northbound bridge is expected to begin in 2027. The City says the work will keep the bridge open to vehicle traffic and active transportation until a replacement crossing is built.