Released on July 28, 2011
The Weekly Provincial Highway Construction Update
As work to repair Highway 39 in southeast Saskatchewan progresses this week, motorists are advised of a temporary road closure expected to begin as early as Tuesday following the August long weekend.
"We very much appreciate the patience of motorists, but this short-term inconvenience is needed to get the Highway 39 repairs done for the long-term benefit of our provincial highway system and to keep our transportation system moving safely and efficiently," Highways and Infrastructure Minister Jim Reiter said. "Travelers should also remember to obey all flag persons, electronic message boards relating to road work or potential detours and slow to 60 km/hr when passing highway workers and equipment in the Orange Zone."
This closure is needed to begin work on a grade raise northwest of Estevan (west of Macoun). The work will see about a 1 km stretch of the driving surface of Highway 39 raised by 0.6 metres. Stockpiling of material to be ready for the work began Wednesday, July 27. Once completed, the project will restore full, two-lane service. Only one-lane service is currently available on this portion of Highway 39 due to water over the road.
Starting as early as Tuesday, August 2, Highway 39 will be closed to traffic from Estevan to Midale. Traffic will be detoured east/west via Highway 13 between Weyburn and Stoughton and north/south on Highway 47 between Stoughton and Estevan. Local traffic will still have access and should watch message boards for more information.
Meanwhile, work to repair the Highway 39 bridge crossing the Souris River south of Estevan began Wednesday, July 20 and is progressing this week. The bridge was closed on the afternoon of Monday, July 18 after an assessment determined significant erosion occurred on the south and north bridge supports. This erosion is due to extremely high water levels in the river. As a result, Highway 39 remains closed to traffic from its junction with Highway 18 to the Canada-U.S. border.
The ministry anticipates re-opening this bridge and this currently closed segment of Highway 39 to traffic by early August, pending favorable weather, contractor progress and no unforeseen circumstances.
More details about the work outlined above, plus other new work in Saskatchewan, along with other potential impacts to motorists and information about other projects in various stages throughout the province can be found on the attached backgrounder.
For information about emergency road closures, status of ferries and barges, along with other road activities, motorists and media can also get additional travel information from the Highway Hotline. The Highway Hotline is online at www.highways.gov.sk.ca/road-conditions/ and via telephone or wireless device as follows: Regina and area at 306-787-7623; Saskatoon and area at 306-933-8333; on the SaskTel cellular network at *ROAD; toll-free across Canada at 1-888-335-7623; and at http://roadinfo.telenium.ca/mobile.html.
This update is also posted to Facebook on the Saskatchewan Highway Hotline page.
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For more information, contact:
Dan Palmer
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4805