Released on October 4, 2011
A record $2.2 billion investment in Highways and Infrastructure over the past four years has resulted in more than 6,000 km, completed or in progress, worth of improvements to Saskatchewan's highway network. This investment is an increase of 64 per cent compared to the last four years prior to 2007.
"When we formed government, we inherited a highway network in deplorable condition," Highways and Infrastructure Minister Jim Reiter said. "We committed $1.8 billion to highways and we have exceeded that promise by spending more than $2.2 billion in our first term. We know there is more work to be done and we are up to the challenge."
Transportation highlights, completed or in progress over the past four years include:
- 100 per cent of Gas Tax collected and committed to highway improvements. $630 milion in four years;
- 770 km of major rural highway upgrades (rebuilds) to support economic development and improve safety, such as Highway 40 near Battleford, Highway 303 near Lloydminster, Highway 368 near St. Brieux, Highway 47 near Stoughton, Highway 48 east of Wawota, Highway 32 near Lancer and many more;
- 1,485 km of major repaving and 3,856 km of light and medium preservation treatments on some of the province's most heavily-travelled highways such as Highways 1, 11 and 16;
- accelerated twinning of Highway 11 between Saskatoon and Prince Albert with 72 km of new lanes;
- $150 million in funding to Saskatchewan cities and towns through the Urban Highway Connector Program to improve infrastructure that connects to the provincial highway system, including $98.5 million in funding for Saskatoon's Circle Drive South bridge, interchanges and connector roads;
- new infrastructure to support the Global Transportation Hub in Regina including upgrades to Pinkie Road and Dewdney Avenue, the construction of a new access road, a divided four-lane highway from Highway 1 to Dewdney Avenue, an interchange at Highway 1 and the overpass at the CPR tracks to accommodate high volume truck traffic;
- Safety improvements, including exit ramps, along Highway 1 East Corridor;
- a new truck bypass at Yorkton and plans for a future truck route at Estevan;
- 109 bridge replacements or rehabilitations completed or in progress including a long-anticipated new bridge on Highway 2 at St. Louis;
- $115.5 million in provincial funding provided to rural municipalities for transportation improvements;
- $2.2 million in provincial funding for shortline rail and five new shortlines operating an additional 900 km of track; and
- $2 million in provincial funding for community airport improvements which has benefitted 20 communities.
"Our goal over the past four years has been to target transportation funding to support economic development, create efficiencies and make our transportation network safer," Reiter said. "With the support of Saskatchewan's heavy construction industry, consulting engineers and our own staff, we've been able to take huge strides forward."
For more information on construction projects or to view the interactive road conditions map, go to www.highways.gov.sk.ca.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Kirsten Leatherdale
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-8484
Cell: 306-536-9692