Chief Mistawasis Bridge

Chief Mistawasis Bridge
Chief Mistawasis Bridge as seen from upstream
Coordinates52°11′51″N 106°36′56″W / 52.19750°N 106.61556°W / 52.19750; -106.61556
Carries6 lanes of McOrmond Drive, 2 multi-use paths
CrossesSouth Saskatchewan River
LocaleSaskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Other name(s)North Commuter Bridge
Named forMistawasis
OwnerCity of Saskatoon
Preceded byCircle Drive Bridge
Followed byClarkboro CNR Bridge (R.M. of Corman Park)
Characteristics
DesignGirder bridge
MaterialReinforced concrete, steel
Total length270 metres (890 ft)
Height21.6 metres (71 ft)
No. of spans4
Piers in water3
No. of lanes6
History
Constructed byGraham Commuter Partners
Construction startEarly 2016
Construction endOctober 1, 2018
OpenedOctober 2, 2018
InauguratedOctober 2, 2018
Location
Map

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]

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]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Cbc2017-04-20 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Global2017-04-21 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Spp2018-10-02 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference BridgingToTomorrow was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Cbc2016-07-21 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Ashleigh Mattern (June 21, 2018). "Saskatoon's North Commuter Parkway bridge named after Chief Mistawasis". CBC News. Retrieved August 15, 2018.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference Cbc2017-03-16 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference Global2017-03-16 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference Spp2016-11-23 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).