Saskatoon bridge repairs bring out the bikes

In Saskatoon, the closure of the University Bridge is offering a few headaches for local motorists. Cyclists, though, are quite noticeably dealing rather well with the new found obstacle.

The usually-busy bridge spanning the Saskatchewan River, closed for repairs for at least the next four months, is strikingly quiet this week. According to the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, “the loudest sound at the top of the University Bridge on Monday was the crunch of gravel underfoot,” not the usual din of traffic. That presence, the same newspaper reported, has been forced to cram itself through the Broadway Bridge, less than a kilometre southwest. So you can imagine the scene: bumper-to-bumper traffic, police-controlled intersections, and a lot of downcast expressions waiting to move.

Add a few bikes breezing through that same scene, using the closed bridge, and you have two things: some of those motorists becoming a little frustrated, and a lot of opportunity for non-motorized travel options.

Perhaps the only traffic able to move through the closed University Bridge is the two-wheeled variety, albeit without official approval. “Hey, where are you going? You can’t come through here,” one police officer was reported shouting as a smiling cyclist sped through the blocked intersection. Though the rider apologized, the cop responded with a terse “Get off the road!” But it didn’t seem to stem the tide of bikes crossing the Saskatchewan River via that route. One source speaking to the Star-Phoenix reported three bikes sailing across the University Bridge, all before 8 o’clock in the morning on Monday.

Bridge repairs, meanwhile, are expected to be done by Aug. 30.