Released on June 28, 2012
Members of the public are being asked to provide their input on the business case, location and timing for a second river crossing in the Prince Albert area.
The City of Prince Albert, Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure, RM of Buckland and RM of Prince Albert have hired consulting engineers Stantec and McNair Business Development to collect public input and other data for the Prince Albert Area Second River Crossing Study, now underway. The Prince Albert Grand Council is also participating in this study.
Over the next two months, Stantec will also examine potential locations east of the city, do some preliminary cost analysis and review economic factors.
"The provincial government has been in discussion with the City of Prince Albert and area municipalities about the critical importance of maintaining the Diefenbaker Bridge as well as the potential need for a second bridge," Highways and Infrastructure Minister Don McMorris said. "We take this issue very seriously and look forward to hearing from Prince Albert area residents and other bridge users about the area's future needs."
"The province has a process they need to follow," Prince Albert Mayor Jim Scarrow said. "There are a number of relevant factors that will be reviewed before a decision is made regarding a second bridge for Prince Albert. I would like to encourage the people of Prince Albert and area, businesses and stakeholders to take part in the Stantec consultations this summer. Your feedback regarding location, local impact and economic implications of a second bridge is important."
RM of Buckland Reeve Larry Fladager and RM of Prince Albert Reeve Norma Sheldon are active members of the project steering committee and welcome input on the project from their respective municipalities.
Stantec will also collect information on the impact of the partial closure and weight restrictions on the Diefenbaker Bridge. Safety repairs are ongoing and will be completed in the fall of 2012.
As part of the consultation process, key stakeholders will be interviewed by the consultant and the public will be given the opportunity to provide direct input to Stantec through a website link and at a future public open house, tentatively scheduled for summer 2012.
Members of the public can provide valuable information and comments by e-mailing Stantec at PABridge2@stantec.com. This information would include home and destination postal codes; if providing multiple destinations please list the destinations; frequency of use/crossings on Diefenbaker Bridge; purpose of trips whether business, personal or pleasure; impact of bridge restrictions if any; alternate routes available to you and any additional comments or statements.
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For more information, contact:
Doug Wakabayashi
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4804
Email: doug.wakabayashi@gov.sk.ca
Kiley Bear
City of Prince Albert
Prince Albert
Phone: 306-953-4367