Released on July 11, 2011
Highways and Infrastructure Minister Jim Reiter and Town of Battleford Mayor Chris Odishaw participated in the official sod turning ceremony today for the estimated $9.7 million Highway 4 Connector Twinning Project in the west-central Saskatchewan community.
"Once completed, thanks to greater traffic capacity due to twinning and other upgrades, this Battleford project will improve the transportation system for motorists and facilitate the safer movement of people and goods on this important urban connector route," Reiter said.
"This improved road infrastructure will better support current and future growth of our local economy, and commercial and residential development in the Battlefords, while creating a safer corridor for residents, visitors and industrial traffic," Odishaw said.
The province is investing $7.3 million and the town is investing $2.4 million to have about 4 km of Highway 4 upgraded through Battleford stretching from just south of Highway 16 to the Battle River Bridge.
The entire project includes such construction as twinning nearly four kilometres, work on the storm sewer system, relocating utilities, along with improvements to the Highway 4 intersections of 35th Street, 29th Street and 22nd Street (Highway 40). Some work for the project, such as utility relocates, began in June, while the entire project is expected to be completed by the end of 2012.
Provincial funding for the project is through the ministry's Urban Highway Connector Program (UHCP), which recognizes the important role key urban routes have in efficiently and safely connecting portions of the provincial highway system.
The Highway 4 Connector Twinning Project is being managed by the Town of Battleford.
Motorists are reminded to be cautious and alert when approaching any road construction and to slow to 60 km per hour when passing workers and equipment.
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For more information, contact:
Dan Palmer
Highways and Infrastructure
Phone: 306-787-4805
Cell: 306-535-6285
Town of Battleford
Phone: 306-937-6200