Released on May 24, 2012
The roads that provide access to Saskatchewan's many tourist destinations and link small rural communities to the provincial highway system will see $10.3 million in upgrades in the 2012 construction season.
Funding will be provided through the Small Community and Tourism Access Roads Program (SCTAR) to improve access roads.
"This program ensures rural communities will receive safe and reasonable access, and that tourist attractions can continue to be enjoyed by Saskatchewan residents, attract new visitors and contribute to the economy," Highways and Infrastructure Minister Jim Reiter said.
Construction on these roads is built to a standard that can accommodate secondary weight truck traffic and RVs.
To date, eight projects are planned with a combination of contractors and ministry crews lined up to complete the work. Those eight projects include:
- Dinsmore Access - 0.18 km;
- Hanley Access - 0.61 km;
- Sun Valley Access (from the Junction of Highway 2 to Sun Valley Beach) - 4.2 km;
- Verwood Access - 0.89 km;
- Kennedy Access - 0.38 km;
- Prelate Access - 1.43 km;
- Dodsland Access - 0.69 km; and
- Margo Access - 0.51 km.
Construction plans for additional access roads will be completed throughout the 2012 construction season.
The SCTAR program evaluates a network of 1,300 km of access roads in the province that connect smaller rural communities and tourist attractions with provincial highways. Roads considered for reconstruction under SCTAR include provincially owned and maintained access roads off highways that lead into a community or tourism attraction. Highways that dead end at a community or tourism site are also considered.
Criteria include: construction work on adjacent highways, traffic volume, collision statistics, the highway's condition and annual maintenance costs, community population and employment and/or tourism visitation.
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For more information, contact:
Kirsten Leatherdale
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-8484