NIPAWIN — The Town of Nipawin has set up a better line of communication with the provincial highways ministry to get updates on bridge work, information it will pass on to the public.
Rennie Harper, Nipawin’s mayor, sent a letter to the ministry on April 30 expressing concern with the communication between the highways ministry and the town on the Highway 55 bridge project. Her letter also expressed that bridge renovations have significantly affected traffic.
“She was really just trying to impress upon the ministry that it is important that we know what’s going on so we can share that information with the residents and guests in the area,” said Barry Elliott, Nipawin’s administrator. “She also expressed concern with delays and the length of time the project has taken.”
The town received a reply back on May 30, and council was informed at their regular meeting on June 10.
“The ministry has certainly taken the concerns to heart,” Elliott said. “We now are supposed to be getting a weekly update on the bridge status. If there is anything that affects the travelling public, then we’re supposed to get it on a weekly basis so we can distribute it and inform people.”
The Highway 55 bridge, located just north of Nipawin, is being resurfaced and undergoing rehabilitative work. Due to the work, there have been traffic delays, some of which have been quite extensive.
“The condition on the bridge, even on the lane the people have been permitted to use has been quite rough and difficult to navigate,” Elliott said.
He said while that is a problem, a major concern is about farmers moving equipment across.
“There are some pretty big pieces of equipment and I want to make sure they’re able to do that so they can continue their livelihood. There are many folks who need to cross that bridge for work related things on a daily basis.”
The newest information the town received places the planned completion date of the bridge project around the end of July.
