Work on the final phase of repairs to the Diefenbaker Bridge is set to begin this week.
"The province is committed to paying 100 per cent of the girder repair costs and will invest an estimated $3 million dollars to fix the Diefenbaker Bridge to ensure its safe use," Highways and Infrastructure Minister Don McMorris said. "We understand the importance of the Diefenbaker Bridge and we're pleased to work in partnership with the City of Prince Albert to get the job done."
"This is one of the busiest times of the year for traffic travelling through Prince Albert and over the Diefenbaker Bridge," Mayor Jim Scarrow said. "By no means is this timing ideal for lane closures on the Bridge, but the work needs to be done to ensure its long term safety. I am pleased to note that the schedule allows for the bridge to be fully open for the August long weekend."
The work getting underway consists of measures to alleviate the stresses that caused the crack in one of the bridge's four support girders. Work is targeted to be complete late fall.
The work on the bridge is scheduled to occur as follows:
Week of July 16 - 20: Walkway handrail/anchor repair to be completed. No lane closures are required.
Commencing July 23 and continuing until end of day, July 29: Both northbound lanes to be closed for street repair and work on centre girders.
Commencing Monday, July 30 until end of day, August 2: southbound lanes to be closed for street repairs and work on centre girder.
No lane closures from August 3 to August 6 for long weekend.
Bridge work will recommence on August 7 on the southbound lanes. It is expected two lanes will be closed.
It is expected that bridge work will be ongoing until late fall. Lane closures are expected through the months of August and September. Further updates will be provided when available.
The crack caused the closure of the bridge's southbound lanes last August. Repairs were made to the damaged section over the winter and access to full primary weights (63,500 kg) resumed in March. During this final phase of repairs, primary weight access will remain in place and the bridge will remain open to traffic with the exception of the lane closures outlined above.
The City of Prince Albert and the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure thanks motorists for their patience and understanding during the repair work
