Released on April 20, 2011
More than 610 km of improvements and 790 km of repairs to Saskatchewan's highways and bridges are planned for 2011-12, as heavy construction contractors and ministry crews prepare for an ambitious construction season.
"Part of the Saskatchewan Advantage is having a safe and efficient transportation network that supports current growth and generates new economic activity," Highways and Infrastructure Minister Jim Reiter said. "This construction season, we'll continue our push to rebuild highways, make safety improvements and build new infrastructure where it's needed."
This work is made possible through a $556.2 million investment in highways and infrastructure. This investment brings the four-year total to $2.2 billion. The capital budget of $ 285.3 million is the largest in Saskatchewan history.
"We want to get started on this heavy schedule soon, but weather conditions will have an impact on timing," Reiter said. "Last season we were able to complete 86 per cent of our planned construction and maintenance work despite the wet weather and flood damage. We're hopeful we can complete as much work as possible."
"We are pleased that the province has delivered the second highest budget investment to date in infrastructure," Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association President Shantel Lipp said. "This budget shows the government is serious about their commitment to our province's infrastructure and to ensuring Saskatchewan highways are safe for the travelling public. We will continue to work with the ministry to ensure project tendering is balanced so that all sectors of the industry are busy this season. Our members make significant annual capital investments into their businesses and labour forces in order to continue to meet demand."
Multi-year projects designed to support safety, economic sustainability and growth include:
Twinning Highway 11 between Saskatoon and Prince Albert - Paving and opening new lanes from south of Hague to north of Duck Lake, and north and south of Macdowall; grading roadbeds for new lanes north of Duck Lake to south of Macdowall. The completion of twinning between Saskatoon and Prince Albert is targeted for 2012.
Highway 1 in the Regina Region - Commence construction of the new interchange at West Regina Bypass and Highway 1, which will improve access to the Global Transportation Hub; construct three ramps on Highway 1 East of Regina to improve safety and ease traffic congestion; complete and open the Lewvan and Highway 1 interchange.
Yorkton truck Bypass (Phase 2) - Complete construction on a new bypass highway connecting Highway 16 and Grain Millers Drive to Highway 52, as well as turning lanes at the intersection of Highway 52 and the bypass highway.
A total of 160 km of rural highway upgrades will be in progress or underway this season to improve safety for commuters, improve tourism routes and increase Saskatchewan's network of heavy haul corridors, which can result in a 15-50 per cent increase in load capacity for shippers. Highlights include:
- Highway 4 near Saskatchewan Landing (truck climbing lanes)
- Highway 8 from Langenburg North
- Highway 16 Dalmeny Access Road
- Highway 48 from the Junction of Highway 9 to Kipling
- Highway 55 from Peerless to the Alberta border
- Highway 219 from the Junction of Highway 15 to 26 km north
- Highway 263 (Emma Lake/Murray Point Access)
- Highway 305 from Warman to Dalmeny
- Highway 310 from Foam Lake to the Junction of Highway 5 at Kuroki
A total of 400 km of repaving and more than 790 km of maintenance work will be in progress or underway to preserve and repair damage to the highway network. Major repaving projects will take place on Highways 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 35, 41, 55 and 106.
A total of 25 bridge and culvert replacements or repairs will begin or continue to ensure safety and security on the transportation network. The largest of these projects is the replacement of the 96-year-old St. Louis bridge off Highway 2.
Projects to support economic growth and safety in northern Saskatchewan include continuing the upgrading Highway 155 from the Junction of Highway 965 to 15 km north; continuing grading on the Wollaston Lake Road; repaving Highway 2 from north of the Two Forks River to south of the Potato Lake Access; as well as multiple bridge improvements.
All construction projects are dependant on weather and contractor progress. For more information on construction projects go to www.highways.gov.sk.ca for a full project list and map.
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For more information, contact:
Kirsten Leatherdale
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-8484
Email: kirsten.leatherdale@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-536-9692