PRINCE ALBERT, SK – The province of Saskatchewan is encouraging public input about location and timing on the second crossing from Prince Albert.

To gather public input, the City of Prince Albert, Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure, RM of Buckland and RM of Prince Albert hired consulting engineers Stantec and McNair Business Development. The consulting engineers will collect, compile, and assess the findings for the Prince Albert Area Second River Crossing Study, which is now underway. The Prince Albert Grand Council is also participating in the study.

"There are a number of relevant factors that will be reviewed before a decision is made regarding a second bridge for Prince Albert,” Scarrow said. “I would like to encourage the people of Prince Albert and area, businesses and stakeholders to take part in the Stantec consultations this summer. Your feedback regarding location, local impact and economic implications of a second bridge is important."

Over the next two months, Stantec will also examine potential locations east of the city, do some preliminary cost analysis and review economic factors.

"The provincial government has been in discussion with the City of Prince Albert and area municipalities about the critical importance of maintaining the Diefenbaker Bridge as well as the potential need for a second bridge," Highways and Infrastructure Minister Don McMorris said.

The Diefenbaker Bridge unexpectedly needed major repairs last year when a cracked girder was discovered. The province said they will pay for the entire cost of the repairs, estimated at $3 million. Safety repairs are expected to finish in the fall of 2012.

Meanwhile, Stantec will also collect information on the impact of the partial closure and weight restrictions on the Diefenbaker Bridge. Key stakeholders will be interviewed by the consultant and members of the public can give input directly to Stantec at PABridge2@stantec.com.