Released on June 9, 2014
Premier Brad Wall announced today that the province of Saskatchewan will contribute $50 million to the North Commuter Parkway Bridge in Saskatoon.The provincial contribution is part of tripartite deal with the City of Saskatoon and the Government of Canada.
Wall made the announcement at an event in Saskatoon along with federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Gerry Ritz and Saskatoon Mayor Don Atchison.
“Our government is pleased to work with the City of Saskatoon and the Government of Canada on an innovative project that demonstrates the value of P3 partnerships,” Wall said. “Saskatoon is one of the fastest growing cities in Canada and the North Commuter Parkway Bridge will help sustain that growth by connecting residential neighbourhoods to the expanding industrial area in the city’s north end. “
The Government of Saskatchewan had announced it would make a financial contribution to the bridge project in the 2014-15 Budget released in March. The federal P3 Canada Fund will invest up to $66 million in the city’s bridge replacement project.
“The North Commuter Parkway Bridge will allow the smooth flow of traffic across the Saskatchewan River between residential areas and where people work in the downtown core,” Government Relations Minister Jim Reiter said. “It will also reduce traffic jams, saving Saskatoon residents time.”
Saskatoon City Council supported the use of a P3 model to construct the bridge as the best way to address growing traffic congestion while saving an estimated $26.6 million compared to the traditional design and build method.
The Parkway bridge project – including associated road work - should take about two years to complete.
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For more information, contact:
Karen Hill
Executive Council
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2127
Email: karen.hill@gov.sk.ca