Officials from the federal, provincial, and municipal governments today led a “Bridge Parade” across the new Circle Drive South Bridge to ceremonially open Saskatoon’s largest infrastructure project. The roadway will officially open tonight, which includes the bridge and 10 kilometres of new roadways as part of the Circle Drive South Project.
Participating in the ceremony were the Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade; the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State (Foreign Affairs and Consular); the Honourable Don McMorris, Saskatchewan’s Minister of Highways and Infrastructure, and His Worship Mayor Donald Atchison.
“Our government is pleased to see the opening of the Circle Drive South Bridge project, an important part of the Asia-Pacific Gateway,” said Minister Fast. “By directly supporting trade flows inter-provincially and internationally, this project will ultimately lead to the creation of new jobs, stronger economic growth and greater long-term prosperity in every region of our country.”
“The Circle Drive South Bridge project is symbolic of this province’s enthusiastic embrace of economic growth,” said Minister McMorris.“The provincial government’s $98M dollar investment will ensure that moving forward Saskatoon’s shippers and motorists will have the advantage of one of the safest and most efficient roadways our province has to offer.”
“This history making project sets a new standard for innovative and creative ways to finance and build infrastructure projects in Saskatoon,” said Mayor Atchison. “More importantly, this bridge will connect neighbourhoods in a way city leaders envisioned decades ago. We are also fulfilling a goal of our Strategic Plan; to provide better ways to move around Saskatoon and improve the quality of life for everyone in our community.”
Construction began in 2010 on the Circle Drive South Project, which is the largest single project in the City’s history at an estimated cost of $300 million. It is cost shared between the federal government ($96 million), the provincial government ($98.5 million), the City of Saskatoon ($100 million) and the Rural Municipality of Corman Park ($200,000).
The Circle Drive South Project includes:
- a new six-lane south bridge;
- five new interchanges (Idylwyld Drive, Lorne Avenue, Valley Road, 11th Street, and Preston Avenue South);
- 10 kilometres of freeway/expressway from Clarence Avenue to Clancy Drive;
- access requirements of surrounding lands;
- three railway grade separations;
- sound attenuation walls; and
- pedestrian and cyclist pathways.
Major benefits include the shorter commuting distances for traffic, and a 35% reduction in traffic using the Senator Sid Buckwold Bridge at afternoon rush hour.
In March 2010, City Council awarded the design/build contract to Flatiron-Graham Joint Venture. Site preparation and construction began in spring 2010. The Preston Avenue South interchange will open in September 2013.
The Circle Drive Roadway will officially open to traffic at 8:00 p.m. today.
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For more information:
Ashley Kelahear
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Lisa Raitt
Minister of Transport
Ottawa
613-991-0700
Kirsten Leatherdale
Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure
Province of Saskatchewan
306-787-8484
Richard Brown
Chief Communications Officer
Office of the Mayor
City of Saskatoon
306-975-3202
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