Released on August 22, 2012
Three bridges have been replaced or are under construction to provide safer, smoother access for motorists near Val Marie and Mankota.
"We have many bridges in the province, like these timber bridges in the southwest, that are decades old and in need of repair and replacement," Wood River MLA Yogi Huyghebaert said on behalf of Highways and Infrastructure Minister Don McMorris. "The province has been aggressive in tackling the backlog of projects to replace as many of these bridges as possible to make the highway network safer for motorists."
Work began on July 16 and was completed on August 7 to replace the bridge over the Frenchman River on Highway 18, about 1 kilometres (km) east of Val Marie. The previous timber bridge, constructed in 1964, was replaced with a new precast concrete bridge at a cost of $800,000.
Construction to replace a bridge on Highway 18 east of Mankota, over McDonald Creek, was underway July 30 and should be complete and open to traffic the week of September 10. This timber bridge was built in 1952, and wil be replaced with a precast concrete bridge at a cost of $900,000.
In this same area a bridge on Highway 4 over Denniel Creek north of Val Marie was replaced and open to motorists on August 17. The previous concrete/timber bridge was constructed in 1962 and replaced with a precast concrete bridge at a cost of $1.2 million.
The province has invested $38.5 million for bridge and culvert replacements in the 2012-13 construction season. Approximately 30 major projects will be completed this fiscal year.
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For more information, contact:
Kirsten Leatherdale
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-8484
Cell: 306-536-9692