The provincial Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure has taken on an ambitious program of replacing or rehabilitating 36 bridges in the 2016-17 fiscal year.
The projects include a $27.9 million construction of a new bridge/coal haul overpass on Highway 39 to accommodate the construction of the four-lane highway between the Bienfait Highway 18 junction and Highway 39 to Estevan. This project was restarted on May 26 and is scheduled for completion by November 2017.
The realignment of Highway 18 intersection is within the scope of the 12.9 kilometre twinning project as well.
The work will be done adjacent to the existing highway so no major interruptions should be involved, but motorists are reminded to watch for construction equipment and signs and there could be machinery movement that might require temporary adjustments. Dust could also create occasional concerns as the construction proceeds.
The ministry said 212 bridge projects have been completed in the province since the 2008-09 construction season.
“Our commitment to enhance infrastructure in our growing province reaches far beyond roads,” said Nancy Heppner, highways and infrastructure minister. “We’ve increased our budget for bridges by almost 76 per cent since 2008, reaching a total investment of more than $250 million.”
The most ambitious year for bridge construction and expenditures was the last fiscal year when about $50 million was allocated for their repairs and replacements.
