Whereas there are many rural municipalities across Saskatchewan presently feeling the extreme overburden of bridge infrastructure costs; and

Whereas many of the bridges that were built in the 1950’s and 1960’s require replacement at an estimated cost of $250,000 to $450,000 per bridge; and

Whereas these repairs or replacements are beyond the financial capacity of the rural municipalities due to the number of bridges;

Be it Resolved that SARM lobby the Provincial Government to adopt a substantial increase in funding for the Infrastructure Bridge Repair or Replacement Program to address the deteriorating bridge infrastructure within the rural municipalities of Saskatchewan.  

Response from Honourable Bill Hutchinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs:

·         Municipal Affairs recognizes the significant need for bridge replacement and municipal infrastructure in general.

·         Regarding funding for bridges, the ministry agreed to SARM’s request to allocate approximately $600,000 from the bridge program to implement an intensive inspection program.

·         The ministry will work with SARM and Highways & Infrastructure to determine how much funding should be allocated to the bridge program in the next fiscal year.

·         In addition to the bridge program, funding is available through the Building Canada Fund – Communities Component, and the federal Gas Tax Program.

·         While such funding is critical, developing a long-term plan to meet the important infrastructure needs of Saskatchewan’s municipalities is also a priority.

·         The ministry is committed to continue working with SARM, and urban municipalities, to develop a long-term infrastructure plan.  This work is taking place through the Municipal Sector Strategic Plan.