Released on September 15, 2011
Highways and Infrastructure Minister Jim Reiter and Municipal Affairs Minister and Prince Albert MLA Darryl Hickie joined Prince Albert Mayor Jim Scarrow today to announce a long-term agreement that will see the city receive provincial funding to improve urban highway connectors including the Diefenbaker Bridge.
The agreement falls under the provincial government's Urban Highway Connector Program (UHCP), which provides funding to urban municipalities for local roads that connect to at least two provincial highways. Under the UHCP, the province will fund 100 per cent of the cost to repair the Diefenbaker Bridge over the North Saskatchewan River in Prince Albert, which connects to Highways 2 and 3 on the provincial transportation network. Previously, the provincial and municipal governments had a 50-50 cost-share agreement on the bridge.
"The Diefenbaker Bridge is a critical piece of infrastructure, carrying both city and highway traffic," Reiter said. "The UHCP will provide long-term provincial funding for this project and future projects in Prince Albert to create safer and less congested transportation options for motorists."
"We recognize the challenges and safety concerns associated with rapid growth in Saskatchewan," Hickie said. "The province has a significant interest in improving and maintaining these urban highway connector routes."
The southbound lanes of the Diefenbaker Bridge have been closed since August 30, 2011 due to a crack in one of four support girders on the bridge. Two-lane traffic was redirected to the northbound lanes, and a weight restriction of 15,000 kg (33,000 lbs) was implemented to ensure the integrity of the northbound lanes.
The City of Prince Albert is in the process of completing an engineering inspection and evaluation of the work required to repair the bridge. Under this new agreement, these repairs will be 100 per cent funded by the Urban Connector Program.
Our two governments have partnered in this significant agreement which recognizes the vital link the Diefenbaker Bridge plays in the provincial highway system," Scarrow said. "This new funding agreement relieves the City of funding responsibility for present and future repairs and maintenance of the bridge, highway two north of the bridge and the on and off ramps."
Under current legislation, communities with populations greater than 1,000 are responsible for all roads within their boundaries including highway connectors. The Urban Highway Connector Program recognizes that the province has an interest in ensuring safe and efficient travel to and through communities connecting to provincial highways. The program is designed to provide funding for these connectors in the areas of operations and maintenance, planning, rehabilitation and capital projects. The funding is based on the level of provincial interest in these roadways. The voluntary program has been offered to 58 eligible municipalities in Saskatchewan.
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For more information, contact:
Doug Wakabayashi
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4804
Cell: 306-536-0049