A nearly 70-year-old bridge just east of Swift Current on the Trans-Canada Highway is being rebuilt.

Construction on the eastbound bridge began last month and is the second CP Rail overpass 4-kilometres from the city to be upgraded since the spring of 2021.

David Horth, the director of communications with Saskatchewan's Ministry of Highways, said bridge replacements while costly, are needed in some situations.

"You want to get good value for people and maximize the asset," he said. "There's a point where we feel it's the best thing to replace it and we certainly want to do that before there is a problem."

The bridge work is expected to be completed in late September depending on weather conditions throughout the summer.

"People can expect some delays and disruptions to their normal travel patterns," he said. "We try to limit the inconvenience to people and I hope they understand that it's for the greater good. It's something that will last them for a long time to come."

With the eastbound bridge out currently, motorists are being re-routed to crossover on the westbound bridge to maintain the two-way traffic flow.   

The two new bridges will cost the province around $19-million.