The Broadway Bridge is on track to reopen before the end of October and remains on budget, according to the city of Saskatoon. The 93-year-old bridge has been closed since May for major repairs. Drivers and pedestrians have had to detour, and some businesses on Broadway Avenue say the closure has hurt their bottom line. “Having the bridge closed for several months has been a significant deterrent to get here. And we have seen that in terms of the amount of people coming to the store and also resulting in lower sales,” said Cole Thorpe, founder of Prairie Proud. Others say the disruption has had little impact. “We have the best customers in the world, and they just find a way to get here. So honestly, I think we’re maybe down five per cent, which is very minimal,” said Erin Daniels, manager of Gangsters Italian Sandwiches. “I work one day a week here at Hats & That. My perception over the summer, the bridge being closed I don’t think made a lot of difference in comparison to other summers,” said Reverdy DeMuth, an employee at Hats & That. The city says demolition work is complete. Crews have installed new concrete barriers and expansion joints, and are now installing railings, preparing the deck for waterproofing and asphalt, and repairing the arches and piers underneath. The project is expected to cost $15.5 million. “The project remains on budget, with anticipated costs lower than initial estimates due to competitive tender pricing,” said a city spokesperson. Work underneath the bridge will continue past October, but the city said it will not affect traffic once the bridge reopens.
