Released on June 13, 2011
The provincial government will invest an estimated $45 million to rebuild Highway 15 east of Kenaston as part of a new high clearance corridor for shippers to haul over-height loads across Saskatchewan.
Highway 15 will be completely rebuilt between the Junction of Highways 11 and 2 (57 km) from a thin membrane surface (TMS) to an asphalt concrete pavement capable of carrying primary weight truck traffic, the highest allowable weight at which shippers can transport their goods.
This work will be done in three stages. The first stage will take place starting at the junction of Highway 11; aggregate (gravel) crushing of materials will begin in the winter of 2012 in preparation for on-road construction on this section to begin the spring/summer of 2012. Construction will continue east toward Highway 2 over the following three construction seasons with completion of the project slated for 2015.
In addition, all utility lines that could obstruct over-height loads will be buried to allow them to be moved without the need to temporarily cut utility lines or other structures. The route runs from the Alberta border to Saskatoon on Highway 7 and from Rosetown to Melville on Highway 15 (utilizing short portions of Highways 4, 20 and 6 along the way), for a total distance of 680 km.
"This is one of many initiatives we're putting in place to simplify business for shippers and make Saskatchewan's business climate more attractive to companies that ship their goods by truck," Highways and Infrastructure Minister Jim Reiter said. "By upgrading the highway and burying the utilities, we are literally removing a barrier to trade and industry will now be able to move such things as large machinery, oilfield equipment, ready-to-move homes or parts more efficiently."
"We've heard and responded to the concerns of local residents who have been requesting a safe, smooth and reliable highway that was strong enough to meet their transportation needs and support regional economic development," Arm River-Watrous MLA Greg Brkich said. "I am pleased that our government has committed to this project as it will help stimulate the economy and improve the quality of life throughout the region and Saskatchewan."
This initiative is the result of collaboration between the provincial government, Enterprise Saskatchewan, SGI's Permit Office, SaskPower and large equipment manufacturers in the private sector. SaskPower is currently in the process of moving or burying all lines that could potentially get in the way of over-sized loads. This work should be complete by July 2011.
The corridor along Highways 7 and 15 was chosen due to the high demand for over-height permits on those highways. Previously, shippers would have to work with regulatory authorities to plan a route and arrange for utilities to be raised or cut with each move. Users will now pay a permit fee to use the corridor which will be significantly lower than the cost of raising utilities. Farm equipment will be exempt from the permit fee in accordance with provincial weight and dimension regulations.
The $2.3 million provincial investment to bury the lines will eventually be recouped through the permit fees to users. Once the initial investment has been recovered, permit fees will be used to cover maintenance and upgrading of the highway, along with the development of additional corridors to provide a high-clearance network across Saskatchewan.
Other improvements to Highway 15 in the 2011 construction season include repaving from the junction of Highway 45 to 15 km west, which is underway now; and repaving from 1.8 km east of the Milden Access to 200 m east of the Sovereign Access, which is expected to be underway later this summer.
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For more information, contact:
Dan Palmer
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4805