Released on November 5, 2010
First Phase Officially Opens, Second Phase Expected to be Finished in 2011
Highways and Infrastructure Minister Jim Reiter officially declared the first phase of the Yorkton West Truck Route open for traffic today with the second phase expected to be finished next year.
"I'm delighted to see the project reach this milestone," Reiter said. "This road work will support the new canola crushing plants and related truck traffic just west of Yorkton. As an export-based economy, it's important for our province to have a first-class network of transportation infrastructure for trucks, which help get our goods to local, provincial and worldwide markets."
The $8.2 million Phase 1 portion involved such construction work as: moving a 5.3 km long segment of Highway 16 about 400 metres south; re-aligning Highway 16's access to Grain Millers Drive; and re-aligning a portion of Grain Millers Drive. This work was done to accommodate truck movements safely to Grain Millers Drive and in and out of nearby canola crushing plants. Construction on this phase began in 2009 and recently opened to traffic.
"This provincial transportation investment will also benefit local area motorists and those visiting our city," Yorkton MLA Greg Ottenbreit said. "Once both phases are open to traffic, the project will help divert truck traffic around Yorkton, which will increase safety and reduce traffic congestion."
Construction on the Phase 2 portion began in October and involves building a 6 km long bypass highway connecting Highway 16 and Grain Millers Drive to Highway 52, along with building turning lanes at the intersection of Highway 52 and the bypass highway. Construction on this phase is expected to be open to traffic in 2011.
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For more information, contact:
Dan Palmer
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4805
Email: dan.palmer@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-535-6285