2nd bridge for Prince Albert to be studied

The possibility of a second bridge for Prince Albert, Sask., will be studied, Saskatchewan Highways Minister Jim Reiter says.

"I've had a number of meeting with the mayor on this issue," Reiter said at the legislature on Tuesday. "We've agreed that a study needs to be done and we're working on it to assess the needs and possible timing and location of a second bridge."

Right now, the Diefenbaker Bridge is the only way for vehicles to get across the North Saskatchewan River at Prince Albert, the province's third-largest city. 

The issue came up after NDP Opposition MLA Buckley Belanger pushed Reiter on why the government isn't building a second bridge immediately.

"Why is this government ignoring the common sense wishes of the people of Prince Albert and the North by refusing to build a new bridge for that city and that region?" he asked.

Traffic was restricted for months on the Diefenbaker Bridge after cracks were discovered last summer. As the fall election approached, the Saskatchewan Party government promised to pay all the costs of fixing it, while the NDP promised to build a second bridge if it was elected.

Although the bridge was not part of the Highways and Infrastructure Ministry's construction plan released earlier this week, Reiter did not rule out a second bridge at some point in the future.

"If the economy keeps growing up there, population keeps growing up there, I think we stand on our record that we've answered the call for infrastructure," Reiter said. "But as of right now, I want to see the results of that study."

The province, the city and two local rural municipalities are paying for the study.

It's expected to be done by the end of summer.