Released on March 8, 2012
The weight limit on the Diefenbaker Bridge in Prince Albert will be increased from 47,000 kilograms (kg) to 63,500 kg as of midnight tonight.
"Since the crack in the bridge was discovered, the province and the City of Prince Albert have worked in partnership to restore the bridges as quickly as possible," Highways and Infrastructure Minister Jim Reiter said. "This is good news for truckers, shippers, and all motorists who use Diefenbaker Bridge as a vital link."
The cracked section of the bridge was removed and replaced and opened to light traffic on December 21, 2011. Traffic has been allowed to run at a weight of 47,000 kg since Feb. 14, 2012.
Since Feb. 14, engineers have completed further inspections to ensure the bridge can now carry the primary weight limit of 63,500 kg. Primary weight is the highest legal weight that shippers can carry on Saskatchewan highways without a permit.
This weight increase will allow trucks carrying up to 63,500 kg to use the bridge while further repairs take place. These repairs will prevent future cracks from occurring, and are expected to be completed in August. Engineers will continue to inspect the bridge weekly until August.
"Restoring the bridge to allow for primary weights is an important day for the transportation industry and the many businesses in and around Prince Albert that rely on it to move people and products to the north," Prince Albert Mayor Jim Scarrow said. "Repairing this bridge was a major undertaking and I need to thank everyone impacted for their understanding as the city and province worked through the repair process."
The southbound lanes of Diefenbaker Bridge were closed on Aug. 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 was implemented to ensure the integrity of the northbound lanes. The bridge was inspected and evaluated by engineering consultant Stantec and repair work began in November 2011. Repairs involved jacking up the damaged section and bolting in a new 1.5 metre section of the bridge. Live load testing occurred on Dec. 19 and 20 and access to all four lanes was restored on Dec. 21, 2011, at a restricted weight limit of 15,000 kg.
"Final repairs will be ongoing in the upcoming months but I am pleased we have reached this milestone," Reiter said.
The Province of Saskatchewan is funding 100 per cent of the repair of 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.
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For more information, contact:
Kirsten Leatherdale
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-8484
Robert Cotterill
City of Prince Albert
Prince Albert
Phone: 306-953-4395
Cell: 306-535-6285