Released on December 20, 2012
A new bridge will be built this winter on Highway 310 in Foam Lake to replace the old bridge and complete an important link for shippers between Highway 16 and Highway 5.
The project will be tendered in January 2013. During construction, which will be taking place over the winter, traffic will detoured over municipal roads for the six to eight week construction period.
The bridge will be upgraded to carry primary weight, the highest legal weight shippers can carry on the provincial highway network.
"This is important to shippers because hauling heavier loads results in a 15-50 per cent increase in load capacity which is a huge cost saving," Highways and Infrastructure Minister Don McMorris said. "So the project meets two needs - a safer bridge for motorists and a benefit for the local economy in providing a primary weight corridor."
The project will include removal and disposal of the old bridge, which will be replaced with a new bridge using concrete girders.
The bridge project ties in with the upgrading of 30 km of Highway 310 from north of Foam Lake to the Junction of Highway 5 near Kuroki, at a cost of $25.3 million. When flooding occurred at that location in 2007, Highway 310 was a thin membrane surface highway, and was heavily damaged by the truck haul that provided sand bags and materials for berm construction. The highway was rebuilt to structural pavement capable of carrying heavier weights.
"Highway 310 supports farming, livestock and manufacturing in our area as well as day-to-day traffic," Foam Lake Mayor Bob Johnson said. "We are pleased to see the bridge rebuilt within our community to enhance the highway upgrade."
The province has invested $38.5 million for bridge and culvert replacements in the 2012-13 construction season, which provides funding for approximately 30 major projects.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Kirsten Leatherdale
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-8484
Email: kirsten.leatherdale@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-536-9692