Photo credits: Susan Morrissey, Sturgeon County
The Great Trail – Connecting People While Improving Safety
One of Sherritt’s recent initiatives is a multi-year commitment to the Trans Canada Trail (TCT) to optimize safety for pedestrians and cyclists along a key section of The Great Trail in Fort Saskatchewan. The work is being carried out by the River Valley Alliance , which works to increase access to the river valley across the Edmonton metropolitan area.
Sherritt’s contribution will help with construction and installation of a new underslung pedestrian walkway and Trail section across the North Saskatchewan River. This hanging walkway will be suspended below a new bridge across the River. Currently, the only option for Trail users to cross is via a busy commuter route used by thousands of vehicles every day.
Our employees live and work in the community, and we feel we are an integral part of it. We are an urban refinery and we strive to be a good neighbour to the people of Fort Saskatchewan, as they have always been good neighbours to us. Many people also use the Trail to commute to and from work. The pedestrian bridge will add connectivity and improve safety for people crossing the river.
We believe strongly in providing benefits that align with community priorities, which include recreational opportunities for all and a safe community that supports physical and mental wellness. Fort Saskatchewan is fortunate to be located in a beautiful area where people of all ages and cultural backgrounds embrace outdoor activities.
The construction of the new underslung pedestrian bridge is expected to continue into 2022. Great progress is being made despite the challenges faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ongoing work is taking place as the piers are being built, along with the bridge deck girders and the steel frame.
“A recent study by Trans Canada Trail and the Conference Board of Canada indicates that the trend of increasing trail usage will continue into the post-COVID-19 recovery period, making the development and maintenance of recreational trails critical to the revitalization of local communities across the country.” (Trans Canada Trail Report)
To learn more about the impact of the Great Trail and this project, please see The Great Trail of Canada Annual Report.