Released on June 17, 2009
The construction schedule for a new bridge over the South Saskatchewan River on Highway 2 near St. Louis has been determined.
"This government is anxious to get started on a project that local motorists and shippers have been waiting for a long time to see come to fruition," Highways and Infrastructure Minister Jim Reiter said. "We want to ensure the bridge users are kept informed of continuing progress between now and 2012 when the bridge is scheduled to open."
The new bridge will be built 1.6 kilometres (km) east of the existing St. Louis Bridge, as this location has the best foundation conditions, the best alignment for proper sight lines, least impact on agricultural land as it follows an existing north-south road allowance, and is the most economical route. This location was chosen in 2001 following community consultation.
The project will also include new connecting roads from the new bridge to Highway 2 that will be constructed east of the existing highways. The road south of the bridge will continue for a distance of approximately 6 km connecting up with Highway 2 immediately south of Hoey. The road north of the bridge will connect to the existing highway about 500 metres from the new bridge.
Field survey work for the roads will be underway next month, with detail design completed by fall 2009. The new roadbeds will be constructed in the spring and summer of 2010, and will be surfaced with asphalt pavement in the spring and summer of 2012 to coincide with completion of the bridge.
On the bridge, design work for the bridge abutments and foundation will be completed by the end of August 2009. Construction of the approach fills on the north and south side of the new bridge location will be underway in the fall of 2009, with foundation work beginning in the river in the winter of 2009-10. Construction will continue on the foundation in the spring and summer of 2010 and the steel structure will be erected in 2011. The new bridge deck will be built and paved in 2012 for a late fall opening.
"The province has made a $30 million investment to replace this deteriorating bridge, which is important not only for safety, but also to support the regional economy," Reiter said. "The new St. Louis bridge will be the final link in a primary weight corridor all the way from Assiniboia in southern Saskatchewan to La Ronge in the north."
-30-
For more information, contact:
Kirsten Leatherdale
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-8484
Cell: 306-536-9692