Released on August 18, 2011
The Highway 39 bridge crossing the Souris River southeast of Estevan is expected to be reduced to one lane starting as early as Monday for planned maintenance.
"We certainly appreciate the inconvenience this lane reduction will cause motorists, but the work is necessary so the bridge can better withstand Saskatchewan's sometimes harsh climate," Highways and Infrastructure Minister Jim Reiter said.
When the lane reduction begins as early as August 22, the bridge will still accommodate primary weight semi trucks, but loads wider than four metres will have to seek alternate routes. All motorists using the bridge will be directed by a set of traffic lights. This work slated for the 2011 construction season involves the installation before winter of expansion joints, which allows the bridge to expand and contract in various temperatures to prevent the bridge from cracking. The work is expected to be completed around mid September.
Other new construction activity highlighted for this update period includes planned seal coating work near St. Gregor on Highway 5, near Saskatoon and Warman on Highway 11, and near Guernsey and Jansen on Highway 16. Work also began earlier this month on Phase 2 of the Yorkton West Truck Route Project, which is a bypass connecting Highways 16 and 52 in the area. More details about the work outlined above, along with other potential impacts to motorists and information about other projects in various stages throughout the province can be found in the attached backgrounder.
For information about emergency road closures, status of ferries and barges, along with other road activities, motorists and media can also get additional travel information from the Highway Hotline. The Highway Hotline is online at www.highways.gov.sk.ca/road-conditions/ and via telephone or wireless device as follows: Regina and area at 306-787-7623; Saskatoon and area at 306-933-8333; on the SaskTel cellular network at *ROAD; toll-free across Canada at 1-888-335-7623; and at http://roadinfo.telenium.ca/mobile.html.
This update is also posted to Facebook on the Saskatchewan Highway Hotline page.
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For more information, contact:
Dan Palmer
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4805