BRIDGING THE YEARS

August 2010: The city closes the then-103-year-old Traffic Bridge due to concerns about its structural integrity.

May 2013: City council votes to pursue combined funding for the new north commuter bridge — the city’s sixth — and the Traffic Bridge replacement.

September 2013: The city produces a pamphlet outlining the funding plan for the two-bridge project, identifying the cost at just under $230 million, including $600,000 for studies, $7.1 million for land acquisition and $5 million for environmental cleanup.

November 2013: Mayor Don Atchison admits the original timeline to complete both bridges by 2016 will not be possible due to a lack of funding commitments from higher levels of government. Atchison had made completion of the north commuter bridge by 2016 a plank of his 2012 re-election bid.

June 2014: The federal and provincial governments commit to $116 million in funding in a ceremony at the site of the north commuter bridge. The cost of the project is now $252.6 million, plus interest payments.

July to October 2014: City administrative staff will define the qualifications needed to bid for the dual bridge project.

January to November 2015: The procurement period when the city is expected to find the successful bidder.

November 2015 to October 2018: Design and construction of the new bridge is expected to take place.

October 2018: Proponents expect the two-bridge project to be completed.