James MacDonald Bridge

The James MacDonald Bridge is a steel structure that spans the North Saskatchewan River, linking Cloverdale on the west bank to Rossdale on the east. The five-lane design was built to handle heavy traffic flows and creates a striking visual feature in Edmonton's skyline.

Construction began in the early 1960s and finished in October 1971, with the bridge named after James Dugald Alexander MacDonald, a city engineer. It was part of an ambitious downtown freeway loop concept that was never fully completed beyond this single span.

The bridge structure forms part of Edmonton's transportation network, reflecting the city's commitment to connecting communities across the North Saskatchewan River.

This is a major traffic hub that carries thousands of vehicles daily, especially during rush hours when congestion is common. Pedestrians and cyclists should be aware that the structure is designed primarily for motor vehicles.

The bridge was only one component of a much larger plan that would have included a three-level cloverstack interchange over the river to connect three additional bridge structures. This ambitious project was abandoned, leaving this crossing as the sole structure built from that concept.

Location: Edmonton

Official opening: 1971

GPS coordinates: 53.53583,-113.48806

Latest update: December 14, 2025 09:42