Milestone reached in construction of new south bridge

A milestone has been reached in the construction of the new south bridge in Saskatoon after the last steel girder was installed on Thursday. 

In total, 104 steel girders were installed on the bridge, 40 on the east side and 64 on the west side. 

Each girder weighs about 45,000 kg (around 100,000 pounds) and can hold a total capacity of 230 tonnes. 

Now that the girders are in place, the bolts will be torqued and double checked to meet specifications. 

That will be followed by installing the deck panels over the next few weeks followed by pouring concrete on top of the decking. 

Work is also continuing on other phases of the Circle Drive South Project, including concrete and structure work on five overpasses. 

Roadwork for the on and off ramps is scheduled to get underway in early May. 

The Circle Drive South Project is the largest infrastructure project in Saskatoon’s history, involving the construction of a new bridge, five interchanges and 10 km of freeway and is scheduled to open on September 30, 2012.