Saskatoon's new north bridge taking shape

An unusually mild November has meant steady progress for crews hammering away on one of two new bridges being built in Saskatoon.

The North Commuter Parkway Bridge and the surrounding roadways are still on schedule to open in Oct. 2018. Once the bridge does open, an estimated of 20,000 vehicles will use it daily.

“What that does is reduce traffic on all other river crossings throughout the city, in particular, the Circle Drive North Bridge,” said Dan Willems, director of major projects.
 
The new bridge will help ease a growing problem with traffic congestion around Saskatoon, in particular in the north end.

“It will mainly service people travelling to and from work, primarily from the north east quadrant of the city, who work in the Marquis Industrial area in the north end,” Willems said.

Since work began early this year, the first pier has been completed with a second pier nearing completion.

The first steel girders will go up in January and the first span of the new bridge should be complete by the spring of 2017.
 
Quick Facts:

• The operating speed of the roadway and bridge west of Central Avenue is expected to be 70 km/hr.
• The bridge section will be designed and constructed to a minimum life cycle of 75 years.
• Graham Commuter Partners (GCP) was awarded the contract in October 2015.
   

Meanwhile, work continues on Saskatoon’s new traffic bridge.

The last span of the old bridge came down on Nov. 17. 

Once the new traffic bridge is complete, it will resemble the original bridge, but will be wider to accommodate larger vehicles like fire trucks.

It is also slated to open in Oct. 2018.