Chief Mistawasis Bridge and Traffic Bridge

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Opportunity According to Statistics Canada, Saskatoon has been Canada’s fastest growing city over the past three years. In order to prepare for future growth the Bridging to Tomorrow Project is making strategic investments in public infrastructure to address the existing travel demands of the rapidly growing city. The new Chief Mistawasis Bridge and Traffic Bridge replacement are part of the initiative to provide critical commuter connections in key areas of the city. In June 2014 the Government of Canada announced a contribution of up to $66 million towards the direct construction costs of the Chief Mistawasis Bridge and Traffic Bridge through the P3 Canada Fund. Challenges Environmental remediation (the removal of contaminated earth) was necessary due to a small area that was used as a landfill in the 1960s and 1970s. Innovations Bundling the two projects under a single contract is a unique aspect of the project that creates economies of scale and will reduce overhead and procurement costs resulting in operational savings. Bundling two projects will also result in cost savings for the private partner due to greater purchasing power resulting from the larger project. Results The Chief Mistawasis Bridge includes approximately 8.3 kilometres of new four to six lane arterial roadways, improvement/expansion of approximately 2.1 kilometres of existing arterial roadway and a new six-lane bridge across the South Saskatchewan River. The Traffic Bridge includes demolition and removal of the existing 107-year-old bridge and construction of a new bridge in the same location. The rehabilitation is critical to restore an important linkage for commuters, cyclists and pedestrians. When the bridges open, traffic volume is expected to range from 14,600 to 21,700 vehicles per day. This will result in a nine per cent reduction in existing traffic using the Circle Drive North Bridge and additional reductions in traffic across the City’s other river bridges. The project will help support the transportation needs of citizens as the City grows by providing a critical commuter connection across the South Saskatchewan River linking the Marquis Industrial Area with Saskatoon’s northeast residential developments. With a future population of 300,000, up to 40,000 vehicles are expected to use the parkway every day, reaching 50,000 vehicles per day when the population reaches 400,000. The project will reduce traffic congestion, intersection delays, travel times and greenhouse gas emissions. “Our continuing strong partnership with the federal government and provincial government is once again benefitting the people of Saskatoon. This bundled bridge project is the first of its kind in Canada. It will shorten commutes, cut fuel costs, grow the economy and improve our quality of life. It fits perfectly with the City’s strategic goals, and supports our Growing Forward! Shaping Saskatoon planning initiative.” - Donald J. Atchison, Mayor of Saskatoon

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