The Miette Hot Springs, in Jasper National Park, was built in the 1930’s and has been in use ever since. In 2015/2016, the crossing at Sulphur Creek (including the relocation of two outfalls, the pool dechlorination channel and wastewater treatment plant effluent discharge) was replaced as part of the wastewater treatment plant upgrade project. The existing crossing was two 1800 mm diameter corrugated steel pipe culverts, which allowed Sulfur Creek to pass under the pedestrian path. The culverts were in poor structural condition, and presented barriers to fish passage. The proposed replacement crossing was a single span bridge, approximately 30 m wide and 20 m long. which would have a smaller footprint than the existing crossing.
Based on information provided by Associated Engineering and the preliminary geotechnical information, it was decided that the detailed design of a corrugated steel arch with a 6.1 m span and 3.1 m rise supported on concrete strip footings would be the choice of structure. Due to the relatively steep gradient (about 5%) of Sulphur Creek at the location, there was concerns with the relatively deep scours; thus, the base of the footings was proposed to be between 1.5 m and 2 m, below the streambed elevation.