Released on September 4, 2008
The Province is investing nearly $13 million in the provincial road network in the Melfort area this year to support the region's growing economy. This includes $10.6 million in highway repaving and $2.22 million in bridge work.
"The east-central region of Saskatchewan has a vibrant economy, with a strong agricultural sector and an emerging diamond industry at nearby Forte a la Corne," Highways and Infrastructure Minister Wayne Elhard said. "We're investing in infrastructure that is crucial to sustaining our current economic momentum."
Construction has wrapped up on a $2.3 million project to repave 8.2 kilometre (km) of Highway 41 from east of Meskanaw to east of Yellow Creek. On Highway 35, work is underway on a $2.2 million project to repave 9.9 km from Golburn to Tisdale. Once work is completed, another 9.8 km of highway will be repaved from south of the Sylvania Access to Golburn worth $3.2 million. On Highway 3, a $2.9 million repaving project is almost complete on an 11.8 km section east of Peesane. This is in addition to microsurfacing repair work that occurred this summer in the Mistatim area.
"Not only are we creating safer highways for everyone, but we're also enhancing the economic viability of this region," Elhard said.
The Melfort area will also benefit from four major bridge projects.
Construction has wrapped up on a $450,000 project to replace the bridge into the Ridgedale Access on Highway 35.
Two other bridge projects on Highway 3 include $980,000 to replace the bridge at Dog Hide River and $660,000 to replace the bridge at Crooked River. Work is expected to get underway by late fall.
Over on Highway 23, a project worth $180,000 will be tendered shortly to replace the bridge east of Zenon Park with a large culvert. Work is expected to proceed by late fall.
The Ministry is responsible for inspecting and evaluating more than 800 bridges across the province. Many of these bridges were constructed out of wooden beams, and are now being replaced with concrete and steel structures, or in some cases, large culverts.
"We have a record budget of $19 million to replace and rehabilitate bridges and culverts this year across Saskatchewan," Elhard said. "Our province is going through an amazing period of rapid expansion and growth. It's important that our infrastructure keeps pace with this change."
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For more information, contact:
Lynette Piper
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-798-2116
Email: lpiper@highways.gov.sk.ca