After more than a year of extensive work, Red Deer’s iconic CPR Pedestrian Bridge has reopened to the public.
The $22.3-million project has restored the 118-year-old structure, strengthened a key walking and cycling link, and upgraded the surrounding riverbank into a more inviting public space.
Residents can walk the bridge, view displays on its history, project milestones and community memories, and see a new art installation unveiled on the north bank.
Built by the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1908, the bridge carried trains until 1990. Local advocates then successfully pushed to save it from demolition, and City Council designated it a Municipal Historic Resource in 1991.
Decades of wear on the foundations, steel and other elements made major rehabilitation necessary. Work began in February 2025 and included new foundations, timber trestle reconstruction, steel repairs and replacement, full repainting, a new deck, better lighting and contaminated soil removal.
The project also improves pathways, added pedestrian lighting, seating, landscaping and a gathering plaza on the north side. More than 60 trees and 900 plants were also added.
Highlights of the build can be found at www.reddeer.ca/CPRBridge.
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