Chief Mistawasis Bridge

The Chief Mistawasis Bridge (known as the North Commuter Parkway Bridge prior to June 2018) is a girder bridge in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.^[1][2] The bridge officially opened on Oct. 2, 2018,^[3] and extends McOrmond Drive across the South Saskatchewan River to connect to Marquis Drive, providing a commuter bypass connecting communities on Saskatoon's northeast and eastern sides more directly to industrial and business development on the city's north. Construction of this bridge, located in the northern portion of the city, was financed in concert with construction of replacement for the 1907 Traffic Bridge in the downtown core, which was closed in 2010; that project was opened to traffic on October 3, 2018.^[4][3]

Chief Mistawasis Bridge
Chief Mistawasis Bridge as seen from upstream
Coordinates	52°11′51″N 106°36′56″W
Carries	6 lanes of McOrmond Drive, 2 multi-use paths
Crosses	South Saskatchewan River
Locale	Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Other name(s)	North Commuter Bridge
Named for	Mistawasis
Owner	City of Saskatoon
Preceded by	Circle Drive Bridge
Followed by	Clarkboro CNR Bridge (R.M. of Corman Park)
Characteristics
Design	Girder bridge
Material	Reinforced concrete, steel
Total length	270 metres (890 ft)
Height	21.6 metres (71 ft)
No. of spans	4
Piers in water	3
No. of lanes	6
History
Constructed by	Graham Commuter Partners
Construction start	Early 2016
Construction end	October 1, 2018
Opened	October 2, 2018
Inaugurated	October 2, 2018
Location

In July 2016 officials announced that, when the bridge was complete, it would be given a name tied to Canada's indigenous peoples.^[5] The bridge was officially named the Chief Mistawasis Bridge, in honour of Mistawasis, the head of the Prairie Tribe and signer of Treaty 6 in 1876, at a ceremony on June 21, 2018.^[6]

In March of 2017 CBC News described how a berm constructed in the river bed, to channel water around where the bridge's piers were being built was providing an opportunity for urban surfers.^[7] Officials warned thrill-seekers that construction made the water near the bridge extra hazardous.^[8]

With its bridge-deck 21.6 metres (71 ft) above the river, it is Saskatoon's second highest bridge.^[9]

See also

• List of crossings of the South Saskatchewan River
• List of bridges in Canada

References

1. "2 new Saskatoon bridges on track to open in fall 2018, city says". CBC News. April 20, 2017. Retrieved May 2, 2017. At the Traffic Bridge site, three of four bridge spans have been installed, and work on the trusses for the final span is expected to be finished over the next two months.
2. Meaghan Craig, David Giles (April 21, 2017). "Saskatoon bridge projects reach milestone". Global News. Retrieved May 2, 2017. Construction of the new Traffic Bridge and North Commuter Parkway is at the halfway point.
3. Dave Diebert (October 2, 2018). "'Culmination of many years': Mistawasis Bridge, new Traffic Bridge open in Saskatoon". Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
4. "North Commuter Parkway and Traffic Bridge: Bridging to Tomorrow". City of Saskatoon. Archived from the original on November 6, 2016. Retrieved May 2, 2017. Formerly called the "North Commuter Bridge", the North Commuter Parkway project will link the Marquis Industrial area with the University Heights area, by extending Marquis Drive across the South Saskatchewan River and connecting to McOrmond Drive at Fedoruk Drive.
5. Francois Biber (July 21, 2016). "New Saskatoon bridge getting Indigenous name: The North Commuter Parkway Bridge is expected to be complete in 2018". CBC News. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
6. Ashleigh Mattern (June 21, 2018). "Saskatoon's North Commuter Parkway bridge named after Chief Mistawasis". CBC News. Retrieved August 15, 2018.
7. Danny Kerslake (March 16, 2017). "New Saskatoon bridge getting Indigenous name: The North Commuter Parkway Bridge is expected to be complete in 2018". CBC News. Retrieved May 2, 2017. In order to build the new Traffic Bridge, work crews have had to create a berm into the river with a small opening. When the swift-flowing river is channeled through the breach in the berm, it creates a stationary, ready-to-surf wave.
8. David Giles (March 16, 2017). "Work on 2 new Saskatoon bridges continues at a rapid pace". Global News. Retrieved May 2, 2017. He cautioned that although work is progressing, people need to stay away from the construction zone.
9. Phil Tank (November 23, 2016). "Saskatoon's newest bridge rises in remote spot". Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. Retrieved May 2, 2017. The height of the completed pier looked impressive, and Willems confirmed the bridge's height above the river — 21.6 metres will make it Saskatoon's second tallest bridge.