20 June 2008
Saskatoon
Trucks and passenger vehicles traveling through Saskatoon must use Idylwyld Drive or Circle Drive North, which are high volume pided arterial roadways congested with both through traffic and local traffic during peak period. The Saskatoon Circle Drive Southwest Project consists of grade separations at Circle Drive and 11th Street, at Circle Drive and the CN and CP Rail tracks, and at the Circle Drive and Valley Road Connection. The project also includes the South River Crossing, a proposed bridge in the south end of Saskatoon and intelligent transportation systems, such as an automated anti-icing system for the bridge and variable message signs for drivers. The South River Crossing is the final section of the Saskatoon Centre City Ring Road, referred to as Circle Drive.
As part of Building Canada, the Government of Canada, the Province of Saskatchewan and the City of Saskatoon are cost-sharing two freeway interchanges at Lorne Avenue and Circle Drive and at Idylwyld and Circle Drive, for a total of $40 million. Once completed, all these investments will provide an urban bypass to pert commercial vehicles and other through traffic from Saskatoon's downtown core, help to optimize the capacity of the existing infrastructure, reduce congestion, and improve the flow of goods and people.
The local community will benefit from this project, which will improve traffic flow and safety, create jobs and enhance the quality of life of local residents. The upgrades will have numerous benefits for both the general public and commercial traffic, including reduced congestion and vehicle emissions, as well as fewer travel delays for commercial vehicles and other through traffic crossing the city.
Funding comes from the Building Canada plan. The funding is conditional on the project meeting the eligibility criteria of the Building Canada plan as demonstrated by the submission of a business case, the successful completion of an environmental assessment as required by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, and the successful negotiation of a contribution agreement with project funding partners.
The Government of Canada will provide long-term, stable and predictable funding through the $33-billion Building Canada infrastructure plan, to help meet infrastructure needs across Canada. This plan will support a stronger, safer and better country. On April 11, 2008, the Government of Canada and the Province of Saskatchewan signed an Infrastructure Framework Agreement under Building Canada worth $635.44 million.
