Released on September 25, 2008
Premier Brad Wall along with First Nations and Métis Relations Minister and Kelvington-Wadena MLA June Draude were in Foam Lake today to announce a $20 million investment to rebuild a portion of Highway 310, damaged by 2007 flooding in the Fishing and Waldsea Lakes region.
A total of 30 kilometres will be rebuilt north of Foam Lake to the junction of Highway 5 near Kuroki.
"Prior to the election campaign, we talked about the importance of Highway 310," Wall said. "I am pleased today that because of June's good work and our commitment to increased infrastructure investment we are turning that talk into action."
This work will also include replacing a temporary bridge that was built after the highway was cut to allow the flood waters to drain.
"Saskatchewan has many thin membrane highways like this one in need of repair, but Highway 310 is a special case," Draude said. "The flooding had a huge impact on farmers who could not access their land. This highway and bridge should help alleviate cost and time inconvenience for some of these area farmers. It is part of a larger effort to recover from the flooding."
Highway 310 between Foam Lake and Kuroki provides an important economic and tourism corridor linking Highway 5 with the Yellowhead, in addition to serving as the main road access to beaches and subdivisions on Fishing Lake. The region's tourism sector, intensive livestock operations, agriculture and manufacturing industries will see increased safety and efficiencies as a result of the rebuild, which will allow for heavier "primary" weights to be hauled over this section of Highway 310.
Survey and design work will be underway this fall to map out the new highway. The project will be tendered in early 2009 with construction underway shortly thereafter. In addition, Ridgewood Construction has been hired to replace the temporary bridge with a permanent steel and concrete bridge. The project will cost an additional $570,000 and is expected to be completed in 2009.
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For more information, contact:
Kirsten Leatherdale
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-8484
Cell: 306-536-9692