Sask. announces $78M to go towards bridge construction during winter months

The province says $78M in bridge work will take place between fall and spring, with projects prioritized by traffic volume and vehicle size.

The Government of Saskatchewan has announced $78 million of construction work to go towards bridge projects, many of which will take place during the cooler months of the year.

“Although the major road construction season runs from about spring to fall, bridge work continues as we move into and through winter,” Kim Gartner, the minister of highways, said during an announcement on Thursday.

Frederick Willis is the senior bridge project manager for the ministry of highways. He said many of the bridges under construction in the winter are smaller in span and can be put together piece by piece, as there is less earth work and concrete involved.

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“Those projects we choose in the winter are usually over a body of water. We have less challenges with fish, birds and wildlife,” he explained.

For those working under bridges, solid ice in the winter is a convenience compared to moving water in other seasons.

The timing of the bridge projects are scheduled during other major events throughout the province for traffic convenience, such as spring seeding or fall harvest.

Reconstruction of bridges throughout the province are studied to see what types of vehicles are using the area. Many are being expanded to suit vehicles.

“A lot of our smaller bridges were built back in the day when everything was smaller, so we do have to increase sizes,” Willis said.

One of the biggest bridge projects happening is in Moose Jaw. Contractors are planned to return in April to continue an estimated $33 million dollar overpass project.

There are other major projects happening in Meadow Lake, La Ronge/Air Ronge and near Humboldt.

“Highways are the connection between family, between services you are getting, but also connections to the economy,” Gartner said.