REGINA – Saskatchewan’s “gateway to the north” is having some work done. The provincial government announced Tuesday it will provide $1,225,000 to repair the Diefenbaker Bridge in Prince Albert.
Funding will cover repairs to concrete barriers, splash guards, guard rails and pedestrian walkways. With today’s announcement, government officials say they have provided approximately $5 million for Diefenbaker Bridge projects since 2011.
Prince Albert Mayor Greg Dionne says these repairs will perfectly coincide with another major road construction project on 2nd Avenue in terms of reducing traffic restrictions. A schedule will be decided by the city in the near future.
“We’re happy to partner with the city to ensure the bridge carries traffic safely for years to come,” said Saskatchewan Highways and Infrastructure Minister Nancy Heppner.
The province’s highways and infrastructure budget this year is $842 million. This includes $46.2 million to repair and replace bridges and culverts.
“The Diefenbaker Bridge is a critical regional asset that affects not only city residents, but rural municipalities, First Nations, the natural resource sector and tourism traffic in northern Saskatchewan,” said Dionne.
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In September 2011, a major girder failure was identified and $4 million in bridge repairs were completed in December 2012.
A transportation planning report released in January 2013 concluded that a second bridge in the Prince Albert area was not required in the immediate future and the Diefenbaker Bridge wouldn’t likely reach traffic volume capacity for up to 30 years. The report also said the structure had 25 years of service left.
The Diefenbaker Bridge opened in 1960.
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