Released on June 9, 2011
The Weekly Provincial Highway Construction Update
The final remaining permanent repairs to Trans-Canada Highway 1 west of Maple Creek - damaged in 2010 by flooding - are expected to soon begin and will see drivers transitioning from four-lane to two-lane travel in the area as early as Monday.
"It's great to see these additional permanent repairs moving forward so the transportation system can better support our export-based economy for the long run," Highways and Infrastructure Minister Jim Reiter said. "I also want to remind motorists to please be cautious and alert when transitioning from the four-lanes to two-lanes."
About 3 kms of Highway 1 in southwest Saskatchewan is expected to have two-lane service go into effect as early as Monday, June 13, depending on weather and contractor progress. Motorists will be required to reduce their speed from the maximum of 110 km/hr on four-lane segments to the maximum of 60 km/hr when travelling on the two-way portion. Crossover lanes, built in 2010, are already in place to allow for a smooth transition when motorists use this two-lane portion of Highway 1. Two-lane service is expected to remain in effect until fall 2011.
For truckers moving wide loads, the two-lane portion in this area will be restricted to 4-metre widths to allow for the safe and efficient movement of all vehicles. All vehicles wider than 4 metres will be required to find alternate routes around this restricted area. This restriction is similar to the one put in place in 2010 when other permanent repairs were underway and traffic was reduced to two lanes.
This lane reduction is to allow for permanent repairs to be completed as quickly as possible on the eastbound lanes, which includes grading, installing a new arch culvert and paving. (The culvert will be the same type as the one installed under the westbound lanes in 2010 when it was permanently repaired)
"We appreciate the patience of motorists while two-lane service is in effect, but this will make the job easier, safer and more efficient for contractors doing the final repair work," Reiter said.
About 175 m of the westbound lanes and 75 m of the eastbound passing lanes were destroyed during a massive flood on June 19, 2010. Another 200 m of the westbound lanes were also severely damaged. Once the water receded on June 21, 2010, temporary repairs to the eastbound lanes began. These temporary repairs were completed and Highway 1 was re-opened to two-lane traffic on June 26, 2010, a week after the flood.
Westbound lanes were permanently repaired in 2010 with four-lane service restored on Dec. 9. Final paving of the westbound lanes will happen in 2011. All permanent repairs to this segment of Highway 1 damaged by last year's flood are expected to be completed by the fall.
Other new road activity expected to be underway for this update period includes work on Highway 155 northwest of Beauval and Highway 220 from Bulyea to Rowans Ravine, while 3.5 km of new southbound lanes will open from north of Hague to south of Hague as early as Friday, June 10 as part of a multi-phase approach to Highway 11 twinning construction in the area. More details about this work, potential impacts to motorists and information about other projects underway can be found on the attached backgrounder.
For information about emergency road closures due to severe weather or other events, 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 is 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