A group of Bragg Creek residents have come together to make a shared dream a reality. We are formally requesting your assistance in this endeavor.
Our goal is to instigate a process leading to the construction of a new bridge in Bragg Creek, proximate to the original site of the first government-funded bridge. This initial bridge, positioned just west of the Bragg Creek Trading Post and spanning across the Elbow River to the Round Hall, was an essential lifeline for our community until its destruction in the 1932 flood. The loss was particularly felt due to the Round Hall’s significance as our community center and gathering place. However, the government at the time decided to build a new bridge downstream, near where our current bridge is located.
Despite this, the need for a bridge at the original location persisted. Jack Elsdon, the then owner of the Bragg Creek Trading Post, annually built a pedestrian bridge at the initial location from the 1940s through to the 1970s. Even though the river ultimately claimed these structures, the local memory of the ease they provided lives on, as does the desire for a permanent bridge in this location.
We have two potential solutions to suggest:
Bridge Option One: The prevailing community sentiment is towards constructing a new pedestrian bridge at the original location. The road right-of- ways are still indicated on most area maps and we believe a pedestrian bridge here could serve as a significant recreational enhancement and tourist attraction.
Bridge Option Two: We understand that there is an ongoing review of the need for a West Bragg Creek emergency access. We suggest a solution that could cater to both needs: a bridge that primarily functions as a pedestrian walkway but is also designed to handle emergency vehicle flow and local evacuation. Recent flood mitigation measures could make this site a viable option for such an access point. The exact location may need to be adjusted to accommodate sightlines and elevations, but the general site offers ample possibilities.
We believe that there could be a multitude of local, provincial, and federal funding sources that could make this dual-purpose project a viable consideration. These may include Alberta Transportation Funding, Alberta Infrastructure Grants and Funding, Hamlet Funding, Alberta Tourism Grants, Economic Development Funding, Emergency Services Funding, Heritage and Cultural Grants, Future Development Levies for affected areas, and community donations and fundraising efforts.
We greatly appreciate your consideration of this proposal. For further information or clarity, please feel free to contact Bob Everett at 403-803-2062.
There is an interesting story in the Bragg Creek Historic Society’s Book “Bragg Creek Stories of Our Past” that talks about the original bridge and it tells about all of the bridges that Jack Elsdon built at that site over the years. The book is available for purchase at the Bragg Creek Trading Post.
