A new bridge crossing Saskatoon’s north end and a new traffic bridge in the city’s downtown may be just a few years away.
The federal and provincial governments announced Monday $116 million in funding for the projects.
The province will commit $50 million to the north commuter portion of the project while $66 million from the federal government’s P3 Canada Fund will contribute to both bridges. The total project — replacing the Traffic Bridge, building a north commuter bridge and related roadwork — is estimated to cost $250 million.
“This bundled bridge project is the first of its kind in Canada,” said Mayor Don Atchison Monday in Saskatoon. “It will shorten commutes, cut fuel costs, grow the economy and improve our quality of life.”
Saskatoon’s city council approved funding the project under a P3 — public-private partnership— model in March. The project will be the fourth in Saskatchewan under the P3 Canada Fund, according to the city.
The city will issue a request for qualifications over the next few weeks to select a contractor who will design, build, finance, operate and maintain the project over a 30-year period.
“The North Commuter Parkway and Traffic Bridge Replacement project is a great example of how our Government is working with the City of Saskatoon and the private sector to reduce procurement and overhead costs to the benefit of all taxpayers in Saskatchewan,” said Gerry Ritz, federal agriculture minister.
The 107-year-old Traffic Bridge, which connected Victoria Avenue to the city’s downtown, was closed in 2010.
Construction on both bridges is expected to take three years, according to the city.
The $1.2 billion P3 Canada Fund is managed by PPP Canada, a Crown corporation established to promote and create public-private partnership projects.
