February 6, 2012

Fate of glass bridge not yet decided

Parks Canada is taking more time to make a decision about a proposal for the construction of 400-metre glass and steel bridge in Jasper National Park, which will allow tourists and visitors to walk suspended above the Sunwapta Valley and the Columbia Ice Fields.

“As responsible stewards of Canada’s national park, Parks Canada takes the comments it receives from the public seriously and gives serious consideration to all comments we receive,” said a Parks Canada press release.

“Parks Canada will use comments to assist in decision making and will generate a public document that summarizes what was heard. A final determination will be made public in the coming weeks.”

The proposed Glacier Discovery Walk will consist of a 400-metre interpretive boardwalk and a glass-floored observation platform extending 30 metres out over the Sunwapta Valley.

The tourist attraction would be owned by Brewster Travel Canada and replace a roadside turnout on Highway 93.

Last week, Parks Canada was expected to make a determination on the project proposal, but instead decided to take additional time to review the environmental assessment, as well as comments from the public.

A draft environmental assessment was released for a three-week public review period on Nov. 23.

Public comments closed on Dec. 16.

The review of the proposal has included open houses, extensive consultation and public comment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.

It generated more than 2,200 comments to Parks Canada, including a large number of comments outside of the formal environmental assessment review process.

Sturgess Architecture of Calgary, RJC Consulting Engineers and PCL Builders Inc. produced the design for the project, which involves the construction of a cantilevered steel frame composed of irregular shapes that match the natural setting.

The design follows the natural landscape of the mountainside, then extends 30 metres outward to provide the bridge with a transparent glass floor.

JOC NEWS SERVICE

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