Public Comment Period on Intent to Make a Determination
Design and Construct Dry Gap Bridge Training Aide, Canadian Forces Base Edmonton

May 20, 2025 — The Department of National Defence must decide whether the proposed project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

To help inform this decision, the Department of National Defence is inviting comments from the public on the project and its potential effects on the environment. All comments received will be considered public. For more information, individuals should consult the Privacy Notice on the Registry website.

Written comments must be submitted by May 29, 2025 to:
Captain Jacques Pecora, Project Manager
Mailing Address: PO Box 10500 Station Forces
Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 4J5
E-mail: Jacques.Pecora@Forces.gc.ca

The Proposed Project

The Department of National Defence (DND) has identified a requirement to construct a bridge training site known as a Dry Gap at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Edmonton. The 7,500 m² training site will consist of a fixed reinforced berm approximately 66 m long and an opposing staggered reinforced earth berm that has three 22 m long sections with three gaps measuring 30 m, 20 m and 15 m wide. Each gap will be approximately 3 m deep and have a 37 m wide gravel access area on each side. The gap will drain to the north and is not intended to hold any storm water. The reinforced earth berms will be constructed using precast concrete blocks and the proposed site will be 50 m from the closest wetland area.

The site will be used to train soldiers on the construction, use and deconstruction of various types of military and non-military equipment bridges. Almost all the bridge construction work will be done using manual labour with various types of heavy armoured military vehicles and commercial pattern heavy equipment used to load and unload palletized bridging equipment and provide limited support to the actual construction. Established spill prevention and control measures will be followed.

The project site is located adjacent to the fully serviced runway within the Range and Training Area (RTA) and is currently vacant with natural vegetation. Access to the site will be from existing roadways with no need for any utility servicing.