New bridge design could save Saskatoon $15M

City councilors have unanimously voted to allow for contractors to choose the design of the Traffic Bridge in Saskatoon.

The heritage aspect of the bridge as it originally stood had five spans held up by four piers. Now, city council has decided to let the contractor decide the allotted amount of spans and piers in an attempt to save money on the $252 million P3 project.

We needed to give the proponents a little bit of latitude to ensure that everyone's money is spent the best way and we're getting the best value.- Mike Gutek, City of Saskatoon

Eight options have been put forth to council. The designs range from one to five spans supported by no piers to four standing in the South Saskatchewan River.

"What citizens could be assured of is that the proponents will have the latitude to choose the most cost effective one because that's how they're judged," said City of Saskatoon representative Mike Gutek.

City councilors argued that a rebuild of the current five pier heritage style would cost up to $15 million more. However, a reduction in the number of spans could save in cost quite drastically.

"We just felt that it's also our job to bring things in budget and there's enough of a concern through a procurement process that we figured that we needed to give the proponents a little bit of latitude to ensure that everyone's money is spent the best way and we're getting the best value," said Gutek,

City officials assured that the design chosen will not differ too much from the original. It will call for the same layout and the same general shape of the current bridge.

"It's a truss bridge to match what's there right now. As we've had before… it's not a replica," said Gutek. "It's a similar [truss] that pays as much credence to the heritage that it can."

The bridge will be designed to accommodate vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians. The design is scheduled to be chosen by December as the project construction is set to begin early next year.