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Bridge Inspection Funding

Res #: 13-21M
Number: 13
Year: 2021
Midterm: Yes
Expired: No
Responses Received: Yes
Departments: Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure

WHEREAS the are currently more than 1430 bridges in various RMs in the province: and
WHEREAS a portion of these bridges are inspected every three years and funded through the Rural Integrated Roads for Growth program as administrated by SARM; and
WHEREAS per the tendering process, these inspections are carried out by different engineering firms, resulting in inconsistencies in these inspections.
BE IT RESOLVED RMs can opt out of the Rural Integrated Roads for Growth program to engage the services of an independent engineer for the purpose of inspection, maintenance, and repair of their own bridges and that the funding still be made available, proportionate to the number of bridges per the relevant RM, at a rate equal to the funding approved for these inspections.

 

Responses From: Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure

February 23, 2022

Grant funding to rural municipalities for bridges and large diameter culverts is a component of the Rural Integrated Roads for Growth (RIRG) program. As you are aware, the RIRG program is ad ministered by SARM and managed through a Program Management Board (PMB) with representatives from both SARM and the MoH. A critical part of the PMB is to bring in technical experts from both MoH and SARM in the development of policies related to the RIRG program to improve the safety and quality of our rural infrastructure.

Currently, the RIRG Policy Manual prohibits Road Authorities from opting out of the Municipal Bridge Inspections on qualifying structures and does not allow for Road Authorities to be reimbursed for the costs associated with independent bridge inspections . The MoH believes that the present bridge inspection program and funding systems provides the right balance of oversight and account ability . The MoH supports RIRG PMB in their continued review, application and use of the policy.

Hon. Fred Bradshaw – Minister of Highways