Released on January 10, 2013
A second bridge in the Prince Albert area will not be required in the short-term or immediate future, according to a transportation planning report commissioned last year by the province, the City of Prince Albert and the RMs of Prince Albert and Buckland.
"Stantec, which was hired to conduct a thorough assessment about the need for a second bridge, has concluded that, based on current growth projections, the Diefenbaker Bridge hasn't reached its traffic volume capacity and won't likely reach capacity for up to 30 years," Highways and Infrastructure Minister Don McMorris said. "The Province has invested $4.2 million into restoring the Diefenbaker Bridge to full service and we're committed to working with the City of Prince Albert to ensure the bridge continues to provide reliable and predictable service to the citizens of the Prince Albert region for the rest of its design life of 25 years."
McMorris thanks the partners for their involvement in commissioning the report, which ultimately confirms the findings of similar studies from 1977 and 2008.
"On behalf of the province, I'd also like to thank the public and industry for their participation in open houses and through making website submissions, providing the consultant with extensive information about the Diefenbaker Bridge and how it continues to support the transportation and economic needs of the region," McMorris said.
In addition to timing and location details about a second bridge, the consultant addressed the dangerous goods concerns that have been raised about the Diefenbaker Bridge route. The report states that Prince Albert is similar to other Saskatchewan cities including Regina and Saskatoon. It states that industry and all levels of government are adhering to the strictest guidelines to ensure the risks involved with dangerous goods transport are minimized.
A formal agreement between the province and the City of Prince Albert for the long-term care of the Diefenbaker Bridge is recommended to ensure it continues to support the economic and social well-being of the Prince Albert region and northern Saskatchewan.
To view the executive summary of the report, please visit www.highways.gov.sk.ca/PAbridgestudy2013.
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For more information, contact:
Doug Wakabayashi
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-8484
Email: doug.wakabayashi@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-536-0049