A $35 million overpass project in Moose Jaw is almost complete.

The new Highway 2 overpass over Highway 1 is part of a project that saw the demolition of two 60-year-old bridges that previously linked the two highways.

It also replaces an older cloverleaf interchange with a modern diamond to improve traffic flow and safety, while also lowering the amount of maintenance needed, according to the province.

During construction, the new overpass has lower clearance than its predecessor. However, the final clearance height will be almost a full metre higher once work is complete.

Minister of Highways Kim Gartner explained the importance of the height.

“We’re raising the elevation of the bridges to allow the flow of traffic underneath. We’ve had a number of bridge strikes at this location over the years, and we’re trying to make the highways as safe as possible, bring it up to our new standard which is 5.3 metres in height.”

The entire project is expected to be complete by mid October as long as weather co-operates, with final paving, fine grading and site restoration still on the to-do list.