Released on July 4, 2008
Construction on major safety improvements to the intersection of Highway 1 and 9th Avenue NW in Moose Jaw will be getting underway next week.
A partnership between the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure and the City of Moose Jaw will see the construction of a right turning lane on the south leg of 9th Avenue NW and an eastbound to southbound high speed exit ramp. In addition the north service road between 9th Avenue NW and Highway 1 will be repaved, and the Highway 1 westbound merge ramp will be realigned.
The provincial government will fund $1.2 million of this $1.35 million project, with the City of Moose Jaw funding just over $150,000.
"Safety was paramount in the decision to move forward, in partnership with the City of Moose Jaw, with these necessary improvements," Highways and Infrastructure Minister Wayne Elhard said. "I am optimistic that with the completion of this work we'll see a dramatic decrease in the number of collisions at this intersection."
"Moose Jaw residents have voiced their concerns over time about the Highway 1 and 9th Avenue NW intersection, and this project is hopefully going to alleviate those concerns and provide for smoother and safer traffic movement," said Moose Jaw Deputy Mayor Regina Sagal-Hendry.
The contractor on this project, KMS Energy Systems Inc., will commence construction July 7, 2008, weather permitting, with an estimated completion date of September 1, 2008. The City of Moose Jaw will manage the project.
There are over 8,900 traffic movements at the intersection of Highway 1 and 9th Avenue NW per day. Since 1988, there have been a total of 48 collisions at this intersection, four of which caused fatalities and 18 of which caused injuries. The majority of collisions are right angle collisions.
Other major highway and bridge improvements in south central Saskatchewan this construction season, worth $11.4 million, include:
Highway 13 -Grading and paving 12.9 km from west of Verwood to 16 km east of Assiniboia. Grading is 80 per cent complete, with paving expected to be underway next week. This project is valued at $5 million.
Highway 39 - Repaving is complete on a total of 16.7 km from 3 km northwest of Drinkwater to 6 km northwest of Rouleau. This project was valued at $3.2 million.
Highway 39 - Microsurfacing will take place on a total of 33 km from 6 km northwest of Rouleau to the Junction of Highway 6. This project is valued at approximately $1.5 million.
Bridge and culvert work in south central Saskatchewan:
Highway 6 - bridge replacement south of Moreland
Highway 18 - bridge replacement east of Glentworth
Highway 36 - culvert replacing bridge over the East Poplar River
Highway 58 - bridge replacement over the Lynnthorpe Creek
Highway 334 - culvert replacement east of Avonlea
For more information on Highways and Infrastructure programs and projects, go to www.highways.gov.sk.ca. Motorists are reminded to slow to 60 km per hour through the construction Orange Zone.
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For more information, contact:
Kirsten Leatherdale
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-8484
Cell: 306-536-9692