Saskatoon's new Traffic Bridge isn't rapidly rusting, city says
2-toned weathering steel will eventually turn deeper brown tone
No, Saskatoon's new Traffic Bridge isn't rapidly rusting. It's just been built with a special type of steel.
The new Traffic Bridge over the South Saskatchewan River has been constructed with weathering steel which initially results in a two-tone colour, according to the City of Saskatoon.
This type of steel forms a corrosion-resistant coating when exposed to weather. The steel above the bridge deck has a special coating on it to protect it from road salts.
The city says that's why the bridge's steel has a two-tone colour, for now. Once the uncoated steel weathers more, the entire bridge will have a uniform deeper brown tone.
The new Traffic Bridge is slightly wider and taller than the old bridge in order to accommodate wider traffic lanes, wider pathways on both sides, and overhead clearance for emergency vehicles.
The new Traffic Bridge and the North Commuter Parkway — both part of the city's Bridging to Tomorrow Project — are slated for completion in October 2018.
With files from Dan Zakreski