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Former Rail Line to Regional Trail
and Recreation Corridor
using the former
CPR Alberta Central subdivision
A Proposal
for the
Forth/Tuttle-Mintlaw-Sylvan Lake
Linear Park
- The former Alberta Central Railway (ACR), operated by
Canadian Pacific as the Alberta Central subdivision from 1912 to
1981, was abandoned from Forth (in south Red Deer near the current
Taylor Drive and 32 Street) to the Tuttle diversion in 1962 and from Tuttle
(near Gasoline Alley at Lantern Street and Highway 2A)
in 1983;
 - Red Deer County identified the former ACR corridor
(including the original right of way to Red Deer east of the Mintlaw
bridge) as a possible
future linear park in the Open Spaces Master Plan adopted in 2009;
-
The joint City/County Red Deer River Valley and Tributaries Concept
Park Plan, adopted in 2010 by both municipalities for the future
extension of Waskasoo Park, identified the former ACR corridor as
part of a future urban and regional
trail network;
 -
In 2009, Red Deer County purchased the Mintlaw trestle and the
former ACR right of way between the Calgary & Edmonton Trail roadway
west to Benalto from Canadian Pacific for $1 as a future historical resource
and possible linear park;
- Much of the right of way from Tuttle to the C & E Trail is also
owned by the County;
 -
Most of the original ACR right of way that was abandoned in 1962
between Highway 2 near 32 Street (in close proximity of Red Deer
County Centre) to the Tuttle diversion is currently privately owned
but the right of way is intact;
- On the west side of Mintlaw
trestle, the right of way crosses the historic Burnt Lake Trail to
the Cygnet Lake
conservation area providing a natural educational opportunity;
- Sylvan Lake residents have consistently petitioned their town
council to preserve the ACR corridor within Sylvan Lake for a linear
park and walking trail (both the ACR and the Canadian Northern
Western Railway reached Sylvan Lake in 1911-12);
-
Since the early 1990s, several hikers and bicyclists have shown a desire for an active
(human-powered) transportation link between Red Deer and Sylvan Lake that avoids the
busy Highway 11 expressway.
The Forth Junction Heritage Society supports all efforts for the
Mintlaw trestle and the former Alberta Central Railway right of way
between Red Deer and Sylvan Lake being preserved and rehabilitated
for use as a linear recreation park corridor that includes
responsibly-managed pedestrian and bicycle trails, tourist
amenities, and one or more interpretive facilities with a railway
and transit theme.
Opportunities and Challenges:
 -
Until now, the Mintlaw trestle has had no maintenance since 1981 and,
as a result, needs considerable work. In late 2010, Red Deer County
authorized emergency repair work on the west end of the bridge where
wooden piers are deteriorating to the point of threatening the
integrity of the entire structure. It will take an estimated $2
million of additional upgrades before pedestrian and bicycle traffic
can be permitted on the bridge. Possible funding solutions include provincial heritage
resource funding, other government funding, corporate sponsorship or
public fundraising efforts;
- An opportunity exists to use the former ACR rail right of way as
part of a regional trail network that links the historic Mintlaw
bridge with both Gasoline Alley and the proposed route of the Trans Canada Trail
south of Red Deer, offering opportunities for agri-tourism and a
heritage interpretive centre or major transportation heritage
tourist destination;
 -
Since the right of way east of the Mintlaw trestle to Tuttle is
effectively county controlled, it provides the best option for
access to the bridge and as a regional trail. A portion of the
corridor has the potential for Trans Canada Trail designation as a
linkage between Red Deer and Springbrook. However, access between
the corridor and Gasoline Alley and a future trail proposed under
Highway 2 at Taylor Drive on the east side of Highway 2A, requires
the crossing of the CPR main line and Highway 2A;
 -
A suggestion has been proposed by several people that a pedestrian/bicycle link between Red
Deer and Sylvan Lake over the Mintlaw bridge would make a good
inter-community 2013 centennial project as Red
Deer celebrates its 100th year as a city and Sylvan Lake
celebrates its 100th year as a town, both in part due to the
construction of the Alberta Central Railway. An opportunity may
exist where the two urban municipalities could contribute
financially as part of their centennial projects.
 -
The Mintlaw bridge will be one hundred years old in the fall of 2012
and regular passenger service between Red Deer, Sylvan Lake and
Benalto along the ACR was commenced in 1913 opening up the western
portions of Red Deer County to settlement and economic development,
an anniversary that could create an opportunity for additional
celebratory funding;
 -
Another possibility for funding rehabilitation of the Mintlaw
trestle is a rerouting of the Trans Canada Trail between Red Deer
and Springbrook, itself with its share of challenges. One proposal
would have the TCT run on the north side of the river from Bower
Ponds in Red Deer, through Maskapatoon Park, under the Highway 2
river bridge to Sylvan Creek, along the creek to the ACR right of
way northwest of the Mintlaw trestle, across the trestle and linking
up with undeveloped road allowances to Springbrook;
- A number of adjoining landowners along the ACR right of way are
wary of the perceived risks of trespassing, liability, vandalism, noise and
trash. Possible solutions include adequate signing, policing,
fencing, garbage receptacles and stewardship, and an educational
campaign to show that similar developments all over North America,
and indeed the world,
have resulted in fewer challenges than anticipated as most users
tend to be responsible and trail usage tends to discourage unwanted
activity. Rural trails have provided opportunities for tourism
income to adjoining landowners;
- West of the Mintlaw trestle toward Sylvan Lake, the right of way
crosses the busy four-lane Highway 11
expressway both east and west of Sylvan Lake. Possible solutions
include a trail being designed as part of a future interchange on
Highway 11 (either at Highway 20 or a future city ring road) or the
construction of a signature pedestrian/bicycle overpass or
underpass;
- The original ACR right-of-way between
Highway 2 near 32 Street and the Tuttle diversion east of the Calgary and Edmonton
Trail is privately owned. Possible solutions include purchase of the
right of way, dedication as municipal reserve in future developments
or utility easement. Much of the right of way is scheduled to be
annexed by the City within 10 years but a trail along the right of
way is likely a long term development;
- There may be opportunities for funding as Canada celebrates 150
years as a nation in 2017.
 Long
term
opportunities:
- the development of tourist facilities including the proposed Forth
Junction Project railway station and transit heritage park and
resort, as well as bed and breakfasts, bicycle rentals, farmers
markets, refreshment facilities and interpretive centres;
- use as a
modern or historic tram/streetcar or tourist railroad
using a Dayliner or historic locomotive with passenger cars east of
the river between Red Deer College and the Mintlaw trestle.
Friends of the Mintlaw Trestle Facebook Group
Powerpoint Slide Show:
History of the ACR & Mintlaw Trestle and
Future Trails
(presented at FJHS AGM Oct. 2012)
more about the
Mintlaw Bridge
and
Alberta Central Railway
Dawe:
Mintlaw Bridge essential to region's railroad
heritage
(Red Deer Express March 2010)
News Article -
Red Deer County seeks partners
to afford bridge access
(Mountain View Gazette Apr.2012)
News Article -
County council looks at bridge
as tourist attraction
(Red Deer Advocate April 2012)
News Article -
Plans for Mintlaw Bridge waiting
on public feedback
(Mountain View Gazette Feb.2012)
News Article -
Opposition comes forward to Mintlaw Bridge preservation
(Mountain View Gazette May 2011)
News Article -
Reinforcing our history
(Red Deer Advocate Mar.2011)
News Article -
Repairs planned for crumbling
CPR bridge
(Red Deer Advocate Feb.2011)
News Article -
RD County antes up for Mintlaw
Bridge repairs
(Mountain View Gazette Nov.2010)
News Article -
Bridging gap between history and disrepair
(Red Deer Advocate Nov. 10, 2010)
Mintlaw Bridge Public Access & Preservation
Strategy
Red Deer River Valley and Tributaries Park
Concept Plan Part 1
Red Deer River Valley and Tributaries Park
Concept Plan Part 2
Red Deer County Open Spaces Master Plan
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