Construction of the new St. Louis bridge is facing more delays.
The bridge, which will replace the current century-old one, was originally slated to open in the fall of 2012. Now, a year behind schedule, not a single one of the 21 girders required for construction of the bridge have arrived. Construction was pushed back last winter because of a steel shortage at Capitol Steel – the Winnipeg-based company contracted to manufacture parts for the bridge. Then, this winter, two of the trucks hauling girders tipped on the highway en route to St. Louis.
“February 4th, the first load came out of Winnipeg and tipped over at Dauphin, Manitoba. And on February 11th, the second load came out of Winnipeg and tipped over right on the outskirts of Winnipeg,” said Dave Hansen of the Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways.
“Its frustrating on progress. Our view is – girders like this move every day in North America. So we’re not sure what happened to cause the problems that we’re seeing on this project.”
Capitol Steel can’t start delivery on more girders until they are able to get permits from Manitoba and Saskatchewan Highways to ensure safe delivery.
Meanwhile, every delay in the construction of the new bridge means another day without the positive economic spinoff that the project will bring to surrounding communities like Wakaw.
“We are really looking forward to that bridge happening. We would then be half and hour from Prince Albert. And for our commercial district and for housing.. we need that bridge to be finished,” said Wakaw Mayor Ed Kidd.
While the Ministry of Highways is in talks with Capitol Steel, earthwork continues on the highway site and Hansen says they are expecting a new completion date this fall.
St. Louis is 31 km from Prince Albert and the halfway point between Prince Albert and Wakaw.
