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Cars will once again be driving on the Broadway Bridge in Saskatoon, as the city confirms the bridge is expected to reopen this weekend.
The bridge has been closed since May 12 for a rehabilitation project, and according to the city, drivers, cyclists and pedestrians will once again have full access to the bridge, barring any unforeseen circumstances.
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One of the significant changes to the bridge is at the 4th Avenue and 19th Street intersection. Here, the city looked to improve traffic safety and accommodate pedestrian movement.
(Animation from the City of Saskatoon)
Work is expected to continue underneath the bridge, but the city said it will not impact traffic.
Businesses welcome the reopening
The reopening of the Broadway Bridge comes as a delight to many businesses along Broadway Avenue.
“(It’s) a pretty big relief,” Madi Russell said, plant tech at Bill’s House of Flowers. “I definitely am feeling anxious to see it open; thankfully, the closure hasn’t really affected business too much.”
Russell said the construction caused some inconveniences for the business.
“It more so just affected our way of getting to and from work,” she said. “Our delivery driver definitely had a lot of fun trying to navigate the city.”
Russell said the bridge reopening in time for the holiday shopping season will be a major benefit to the businesses along Broadway Avenue.
“I think it will be tremendously helpful,” she said. “It’s definitely going to open up an easier access to us for the holidays, allowing our customers to get to us a little easier.”
Russell said the Broadway Business Improvement District has been with them throughout the entire process.
“They’ve been very helpful, they’ve been checking in with us,” she said. “They are always keeping us up to date, they’re doing so much with the community to help draw in some more people.”
Alexa Hainsworth, member services coordinator of the Saskatchewan Craft Council, said she’s excited for the reopening.
“I’m looking forward to the bridge being open this weekend,” she said. “Broadway is a great place for people to come and do their shopping and visit each other, and having that walking space open for the public is always helpful to the businesses.”
Hainsworth said she thinks it’ll be a smooth reopening.
“I’m sure they’re going to come back and do a few little minor adjustments here and there,” she said. “I’m glad it’s just finally coming to a final end.”
With the bridge being open for the holiday season, Hainsworth said she expects many shops on Broadway Avenue to be packed.
“It makes it easier to get to Broadway and park and come to our shops,” she said. “We really look forward to people coming in and doing their purchases with us, just in time for the Christmas shopping season.”
Hainsworth said they were able to weather the storm pretty well and look forward to the future now that the bridge is reopened.
“We’re pretty resilient,” she said. “We have an online shop so people can always purchase things from home, and we have several exhibitions every year.”
