SASKATOON, Sask. — Saskatoon’s largest infrastructure project, construction of the Circle Drive South project, is now open to traffic.

The project included a bridge and 10 kilometres of new roadways, designed to improve traffic flow in the city. The $300-million project was the biggest single project in the city’s history, according to officials, who attended a ceremony last night to commemorate its opening.

“Our government is pleased to see the opening of the Circle Drive South Bridge project, an important part of the Asia-Pacific Gateway,” said Minister of International Trade, Ed Fast. “By directly supporting trade flows inter-provincially and internationally, this project will ultimately lead to the creation of new jobs, stronger economic growth and greater long-term prosperity in every region of our country.”

“The Circle Drive South Bridge project is symbolic of this province’s enthusiastic embrace of economic growth,” added Don McMorris, Saskatchewan’s Minister of Highways and Infrastructure. “The provincial government’s $98M dollar investment will ensure that moving forward Saskatoon’s shippers and motorists will have the advantage of one of the safest and most efficient roadways our province has to offer.”

Construction began in 2010 and the cost was shared by the feds, province and city. It includes: a new six-lane bridge; five new interchanges; 10 kms of freeway from Clarence Ave. to Clancy Drive; three railway grade separations; sound attenuation walls; and pedestrian and cycling pathways. The project is expected to reduce traffic on the Senator Sid Buckwold Bridge by 35% during the afternoon rush hour.