CIRCLE DRIVE AND 22ND STREET INTERCHANGE GRAND OPENING

Released on October 28, 2002

Saskatoon celebrated the grand opening of the Circle Drive & 22nd Street

Interchange today. This $23.5 million Canada-Saskatchewan Infrastructure

Project was funded $3.36 million by the Government of Saskatchewan and

$3.36 million by the Government of Canada with all additional costs paid

for by the City of Saskatoon.



The completion of the interchange and surrounding pathways means efficiency

and safety for pedestrians and drivers, and is the first step toward the

completion of the Circle Drive southwest transportation corridor.



"The Canada-Saskatchewan Infrastructure Program is an excellent example of

how three governments collaborate and respond to the needs of our

communities," Premier Lorne Calvert said. "The commitment by our major

cities to invest in infrastructure encourages economic development and

strengthens Saskatchewan's competitive advantage."



"The Government of Canada is committed to helping local governments invest

in building better roadways and transit systems under the Canada

Infrastructure Program to improve Canadians' quality of life," Secretary of

State (Western Economic Diversification) (Indian Affairs and Northern

Development) Stephen Owen said. "Helping Saskatchewan residents enjoy a

better quality of life is one of the reasons why the federal government is

committed to working in partnership with provincial and municipal

governments under the infrastructure program."



Saskatoon Mayor Jim Maddin said that the new interchange joins a series of

major roadway improvements designed and constructed by the City of

Saskatoon over the last couple of years; the interchange at Circle and

Attridge Drive, the widening of the Circle Drive Overpass at Idylwyld

Drive, and the widening and rehabilitation of Idylwyld Drive, just to name

a few.



"With these improvements and new additions, Saskatoon has solidified its

role as the transportation hub for the province and Western Canada," Maddin

said. "Closer to home, this new interchange serves not only the needs of

the people from the west side, but all citizens of Saskatoon, and indeed

motorists from the province and from around Canada who travel to and

through Saskatoon. But, perhaps most importantly, this interchange will

dramatically improve safety. For years, this intersection was in the top

five most dangerous in Saskatoon. I look forward to seeing this dubious

distinction become a sterling example of traffic efficiency and safety."



This comprehensive interchange has involved more than the construction of

an overpass. Many area streets were provided new access to 22nd Street

(Fairmont Drive), or realigned to allow for better traffic flow and ease of

congestion (Fairlight Drive at 22nd Street). The final design was selected

after careful consideration of factors such as safety, operational

efficiency, area access requirements, traffic projections, right-of-way and

utility impacts, and public consultation.



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For more information, contact:



Mark Patola

Project Engineer

Infrastructure Services Department

City of Saskatoon

Phone: (306) 975-2871



Ann Anderson

Government Relations and Aboriginal Affairs

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-8890