TURTLE RIVER BRIDGE REOPENS

Released on June 15, 2001

The Turtle River Bridge is scheduled to be reopened Saturday after paving

of the bridge deck has been completed.



Approximately $100,000 has been spent repairing the bridge, located on

Highway 26, one kilometre north of Turtleford. During the past three

weeks, workers have replaced all the timber piles at the two piers in the

river. Workers have also reinstalled the concrete deck.



"While the detour has been an inconvenience, the bridge repairs were

accomplished quickly," Highways and Transportation Minister Pat Atkinson

said. "Traffic can once again safely use the bridge."



The department is completing an investigation to fully determine the cause

of the May 25th bridge failure.



This year, the department increased its bridge improvement budget by 14 per

cent or over $250,000. Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation's budget

this year is a record $311.7 million.



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For more information, contact:



Barry Martin

Highways and Transportation

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-4859