Saskatoon’s Broadway Bridge reopens Saturday after six months of rehabilitation, restoring a vital route for 20,000 daily commuters.
Broadway Bridge Reopening Set for Saturday Night
Relief is in sight for thousands of Saskatoon commuters. The City of Saskatoon confirmed Thursday that the Broadway Bridge will reopen Saturday night, following a six-month closure for major rehabilitation work. The project, which began in May, temporarily cut off one of the city’s busiest downtown routes.
City Confirms Completion Timeline
The city’s director of construction and design, Matt Jurkiewicz, said the bridge is nearly ready for traffic. Crews have finished paving, lane markings, and lighting installation. Weather, however, remains a factor. “We’re hoping by the end of Friday,” Jurkiewicz told Saskatoon Morning on Thursday. “Rain or snow could delay the reopening, but it will definitely be open for Monday morning commuters.”
New Traffic Configuration for Drivers
When the bridge reopens, motorists traveling north toward downtown will encounter a new intersection design at Fourth Avenue and 19th Street. The former complex convergence has been rebuilt into a traditional T-intersection, complete with three sets of traffic lights and marked pedestrian crossings. City officials say the redesign aims to improve safety and traffic flow.
Work Continues Beneath the Structure
While the deck will reopen to vehicles, work underneath the bridge will continue into the coming months. Crews will complete span repairs and finalize upgrades to utilities and railings. The city emphasized that these remaining tasks will not affect traffic.
Project Backed by $15.5 Million Investment
Ontario-based Julmac Contracting Ltd. led the $15.5-million rehabilitation contract. The work included deck repairs, barrier replacements, new railing and arches, and the removal of outdated utilities. City transportation manager Terry Schmidt told council Wednesday that the bridge surface and markings were complete, with only minor deficiencies left to address.
Historic Landmark Renewed for Modern Use
Built in just 11 months during the Great Depression, the Broadway Bridge first opened on Nov. 11, 1932, at a cost of $850,000. Known as Saskatoon’s steepest bridge, it typically carries about 20,000 vehicles daily. The city says the current rehabilitation ensures the bridge’s longevity for decades and improves safety for pedestrians and cyclists alike.
Commuters Welcome Long-Awaited Return
For drivers and downtown businesses, the reopening marks the end of months of detours and congestion. “We are doing all that we can to get the bridge open by the end of the week,” Schmidt said. Once traffic resumes Saturday night, Saskatoon’s core is expected to see smoother connections between the Broadway district and the downtown corridor once again.
