WEIGHT LIMIT INCREASED ON DIEFENBAKER BRIDGE

The weight limit on the Diefenbaker Bridge in Prince Albert will be increased to 47,000 kilograms (kg) as of midnight tonight, following the repair of the cracked girder and inspection of the complete bridge.

The cracked section of the bridge has been removed and replaced, and traffic was allowed to run over the bridge at a restricted weight of 15,000 kg while a permanent safety line was installed to ensure ease of access to allow for weekly inspections. Inspections of the bridge have shown that the weight limit can now be safely increased to 47,000 kg. This is the weight limit typically applied to a fully-loaded semi-trailer unit with a single tridem axle trailer, or a partially loaded Super-B type truck. A total of 85 per cent of the trucks travelling on the Diefenbaker Bridge are under 47,000 kg.

"The Diefenbaker Bridge is a critical piece of infrastructure, carrying both city and highway traffic, people and goods where they need to go," Highways and Infrastructure Minister Jim Reiter said. "The province provided funding for the bridge repair to help ensure motorists and shippers could once again have safe and efficient access as quickly as possible."

Weekly inspections of the bridge will take place while traffic is running over the bridge at a weight limit of 47,000 kg. If the bridge performs as anticipated, the primary weight limit of 63,500 kg could be restored to the bridge by early March. This will allow primary weight trucks on the bridge while further repairs take place to prevent future cracks from appearing. The final repairs are expected to be completed in August, and weekly inspections will continue until that time.

"This is good news for Prince Albert and area shippers and motorists," Prince Albert Mayor Jim Scarrow said. "The first priority is safety, and we are relying on the expertise of our consulting engineers and the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure to increase the weight limit."

The southbound lanes of the Diefenbaker Bridge were closed on Aug. 30, 2011, due to a crack in one of four support girders on the bridge. Two-lane traffic was redirected to the northbound lanes, and a weight restriction of 15,000 kg was implemented to ensure the integrity of the northbound lanes. The bridge was inspected and evaluated by engineering consultant Stantec and repair work began in November 2011. Repairs involved jacking up the damaged section and bolting in a brand new 1.5 metre section of the bridge. Live load testing occurred on Dec. 19 and 20 and access to all four lanes was restored on Dec. 21, 2011, at a restricted weight limit of 15,000 kg.

The Province of Saskatchewan is funding 100 per cent of the repair of the Diefenbaker Bridge over the North Saskatchewan River in Prince Albert, which connects to Highways 2 and 3 on the provincial transportation network. Previously the provincial and municipal governments had a 50-50 cost-share agreement on the bridge.

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For more information, contact:

Doug Wakabayashi
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4804
Cell: 306-535-6285 Robert Cotterill
City of Prince Albert
Phone: 306-953-4395