Travellers heading east from Swift Current will soon be up and rolling over the new overpasses as the project nears completion.

The $18 million project covers the creation of two overpasses, with one in the eastbound lane, and the other going west, on the Trans-Canada Highway east of Swift Current.

Construction may have taken a few years, but the Ministry of Highways has already hosted an event showcasing the close-to-completion project.

In attendance at the Ministry of Highways celebration of the project, was Swift Current MLA, Everett Hindley, who was as excited as anyone else for the construction zone to wrap up.

"There's some other finish-up work that has to be done," cautioned Hindley. "But they're anticipating that they will have the bridge replacement project done, hopefully, by the end of October, or early November."

These new overpasses are expected to last 75 years and are built accordingly. They aren't just constructed for today's laneways but have been built with considerations for expected increases over time, regarding population, demand, and vehicle weights.

Paving is set to begin this week on the eastbound overpass, which should take them anywhere from five to seven days to complete. If the weather stays as dry as it has been, there should be no delay in any of the work left to do.

Currently, more than 4,000 vehicles travel on the Trans-Canada east of Swift Current every day, with plenty of them being commercial vehicles involved in the agriculture sector, as well as oil and gas.

"From that perspective, it's very important, not just for the regular commuter traffic, but for the economic traffic that goes through our city on the number one highway on a daily basis," Hindley added.


These new overpasses have also been designed with Saskatchewan's brutal winters in mind, having been set up to help mitigate wind and icing issues during the long winter months. The designs should help to reduce slippery conditions, helping keep travel safe along their stretch.

"I'm sure glad to see that this is going to be nearly done and will be complete in time for the winter season," commented Hindley.