While many non-essential services are scaling back in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Saskatoon is moving ahead with phase two of renovations to the Sid Buckwold Bridge connecting the Idylwyld freeway to the downtown core.
Mayor Charlie Clark announced Friday the project would restart as scheduled on March 30, shutting down the northbound section of the bridge and cutting off ramp access to 1st Avenue.
Clark said in a media call that pushing ahead with the renovations will help keep some people working through a tough economic time.
“It’s important to see those opportunities where we can have economic activity happening,” he said.
“I think it’s in everyone’s interest to keep people working and safely.”
Engineering manager Rob Frank said in a statement Friday there will be strict worksite rules regarding social distancing and precautionary medical measures will be in place to keep workers safe.
The work on the 54-year-old bridge is to resurface the road, widen the pedestrian walkway, install a new drainage system and to improve the structural integrity of the pillars and concrete deck.
Once the work begins on March 30, two-way traffic will be accommodated on the west side of the bridge, which typically holds the southbound lanes. The walkways will be inaccessible, and the Meewasin Trail may be closed for a period of time directly underneath the south side of the bridge.
Work on the bridge is expected to be complete in mid-October.