Long backups on Circle Drive North Bridge as rehab project begins

The first day of the rehabilitation project on the Circle Drive North Bridge caused some headaches for commuters Wednesday morning.

According to the City of Saskatoon, the 40-year-old bridge is undergoing a nine-month rehabilitation project aiming to extend its service life and reduce capital costs throughout the bridge’s lifespan.

“Certain elements of the bridge are nearing the end of their typical lifecycle, so this is a proactive construction project to ensure it lasts for years to come,” Todd Grabowski, engineering manager for asset preservation with the City of Saskatoon, said in a statement.

“Work will include replacing asphalt and barriers, improvements to drainage and concrete, and repairs to the piers and abutments.”

While it is unusual to start a construction project so early in the season, the city said the rehabilitation project is a major one and the goal is to finish it in a single construction season rather than stretching the work over two years.

Two-way traffic will be maintained throughout the project, the city said, with the first phase closing the westbound lanes while traffic proceeds in both directions using the eastbound lanes.

On Wednesday, westbound traffic on the bridge was nearing a standstill by 7 a.m., with traffic backed up nearly to the Attridge Drive overpass.

According to a previous statement by Grabowski, delays are to be expected, but the city will work to keep them to a minimum.

“We will continually monitor traffic and adjust signals throughout the city as necessary to minimize delays and disruptions as much as possible,” Grabowski said.

The 275-metre bridge cost $11.8 million to build in 1983, the city said. Additional lanes were added in 2005, and a pedestrian bridge underneath the span opened to the public in 2007.

The pedestrian bridge will not be affected by the project, the city noted.

— With files from 650 CKOM’s Libby Giesbrecht

Traffic over Circle Drive North Bridge went from hardly any delays to near standstill over the bridge in just a few minutes this morning.

I’m keeping tabs on the delays this morning. For updates, tune in to @CKOMNews (650 CKOM)

Here’s the scene now:#Saskatoon #traffic #yxe pic.twitter.com/9bajZQivFj

— Libby Giesbrecht (@GiesbrechtLibby) March 1, 2023