After three months of construction, the new pedestrian bridge in Sheep River Park will open this week. The existing Laurie Boyd Bridge will be removed on Nov. 7. However, work is still being done on handrail installation for the new bridge, so there will be no crossing at the Okotoks Public Library until Nov. 9. “On Nov. 9 at the end of the day it will be opened up, the new bridge, for public use,” said Rob Dickinson, Okotoks engineering manager. The estimated cost of the new bridge is $2.7 million. Installation of the new bridge began in mid-September, he said. It will also be known as the Laurie Boyd Bridge, in memorial of 16-year-old Laurie Boyd, who was murdered in Okotoks in 1982. “We contacted the Boyd family and I understand they’re actually going to be at the opening ceremony,” said Dickinson. The new bridge will make crossing easier and safer for people on foot or bicycle, or those pushing strollers or walking dogs, he said. With a wider surface, some issues with room to pass other pedestrians will be eliminated, he said. “It also provides us emergency access because we can put vehicles on it to the water treatment plant as well should there be a flood situation or something like that,” said Dickinson. The opening ceremony and ribbon-cutting will take place Nov. 23 at 5 p.m. For more information visit www.okotoks.ca.
