Released on March 16, 2010
The provincial government is ensuring Saskatchewan citizens have a strong voice in local transportation decisions.
A new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), signed today between the provincial government and Saskatchewan's eleven Area Transportation Planning Committees (ATPCs), solidifies a collaborative working relationship that has resulted in the development of new policy initiatives and a strategic, long-term planning approach to investments in the transportation system.
"This MOU confirms our commitment to involving ATPCs in the decisions that guide our transportation infrastructure and the strategy behind it," Highways and Infrastructure Minister Jim Reiter said. "The province is committed to working with groups set up under the previous administration, and in the case of the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure, this commitment continues to reinforce the goal of taking the politics out of road building."
"We are pleased to see the provincial government formally recognize the important role of Area Transportation Planning Committees in providing a local perspective to provincial transportation planning," ATPC Chairperson's Committee Chair Richard Porter said.
ATPC representatives are members of both the Rural Highway Advisory Committee and the Northern Transportation Advisory Committee - the groups that came up with the factors that would be used to rank highway improvements.
The influence of ATPCs can be seen in recent shortline rail studies, partnership agreements between the ministry and municipalities, grid road upgrades that received provincial funding under the Municipal Roads for the Economy Program, creation of municipal-provincial primary weight corridors under SARM's Clearing the Path program and safety improvement projects.
Some recent examples include:
Highway 12 - the Petrofka Bridge north of Saskatoon was resurfaced and guardrails were installed in 2009 following safety concerns brought forward by the North Central Transportation Planning Committee on behalf of local residents. Additional resurfacing was completed from the Petrofka Bridge to the Hepburn Access at the advisement of the ATPC.
Highway 32 - this east-west corridor in southwest Saskatchewan was a safety and economic hazard for area residents. Through the involvement of the South West Transportation Planning Committee this highway was identified for priority inclusion in the Five-Year Capital Plan. Construction will continue in the 2010 construction season on this $34 million project, to rebuild the 56 km corridor from a pothole-riddled thin membrane surface to a structural pavement with a 20-year lifespan, capable of carrying primary weight (the highest legal weight limit on a provincial highway).
Highway 55 - this east-west corridor in northwest Saskatchewan has been ranked as one of the top priorities of the North Central Transportation Planning Committee and under the Rural Highway Strategy. In 2010, this highway will be rebuilt from a thin membrane surface to structural pavement from Peerless to the Alberta border, a total of 26 kilometres, to support the forestry, mining and agriculture industries accessing the highway daily as well as local residents.
For more information on Area Transportation Planning Committees and the work they do, go to www.highways.gov.sk.ca.
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For more information, contact:
Kirsten Leatherdale
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-8484
Cell: 306-536-9692