The most important thing to Cochranites about the new Bow River bridge is the town's report that it's on schedule to open in the fall of 2020.

Town councils and local media got a glimpse of the construction from the south side of the river not accessible during construction.

Parts of the bridge structure are now visible above the water line, including completed abutments on both sides of the river, the completed west pier and the east pier pedestal. Crews and equipment are now working above the water level, and they hope to have a temporary berm pulled back by mid-May, well before the June high-water season.

Work continues at a steady pace and includes some final concrete pours that will allow workers to start work on the bridge girders in mid-April. 

The girders are being assembled in five segments, then delivered to the site and fastened together.

With the long cold snap faced this winter, a contingency plan and even a plan 'B' was established. A watchful eye was kept on ice progressing toward the construction area but the sudden and welcomed swing into spring weather has eliminated any threat.

Once completed, Rick Deans, Cochrane's senior manager of infrastructure, says the area will be taken back to its natural grade. There will be no loss of amenities in the off-leash park. In fact, he says, it's more likely the area will be enhanced.