City releases early Traffic Bridge designs

The City of Saskatoon has released early designs for the new Traffic Bridge.

“The new Traffic Bridge will be a four span arrangement, with new reinforced concrete piers constructed around the existing piers within the river,” the city’s special projects manager Dan Willems said in a media release.

The proposed plans, released Wednesday, closely resemble the existing bridge — though the new structure will be wider and taller, and pathways will be built on both sides, according to Willems.

The city expects to release financial details later this month and, pending regulatory approvals for Graham Commuter Partners, to start construction on both the Traffic Bridge and Parkway projects late this year or early next year.

The 108-year-old Traffic Bridge, which connected Victoria Avenue to the city’s downtown, was closed in 2010.

Officials are aiming to open the new Traffic and Parkway bridges in October 2018.

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  Saskatoon's new Traffic Bridge, according to these early designs, will closely resemble the old bridge. (City of Saskatoon supplied)

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  Proposed plans for Saskatoon's new Traffic Bridge are seen here. (City of Saskatoon supplied)

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  Proposed plans for the new Traffic Bridge include pathways on both sides of the structure. (City of Saskatoon supplied)