Released on September 13, 2012
Motorists will have a smoother, wider section of highway to drive and shippers will be able to haul heavier weights, as construction nears completion on Highway 13 from the Viceroy Access to the Junction of Highway 36.
The work being done at this location will upgrade just over 20 kilometres (km) from a secondary weight highway to a structural pavement capable of carrying primary weight, the highest legal weight shippers can carry on our provincial highway network.
"This is very important to shippers because hauling heavier loads results in a 15 to 50 per cent increase in load capacity, saving haulers money when it comes to inputs," Wood River MLA Yogi Huyghebaert said on behalf of Highways and Infrastructure Minister Don McMorris. "The more of these upgrades we make, the more competitive and attractive Saskatchewan's economic climate will become as we move forward."
This project was launched the week of May 14 and should be complete by the week of September 24. Close to 20 km of the highway was widened and paved from the Viceroy Access to 2 km east of the junction of Highway 36 at a cost of $7.6 million. At times traffic has been reduced to one lane through the construction zone.
Completing this project closes a gap in the primary weight corridor on Highway 13 from Highway 4 to the Manitoba border. This corridor is now capable of carrying primary weight for nine months of the year from the junction with Highway 4 to Weyburn (with the exception of the spring road ban season when highways are susceptible to damage), and for 12 months of the year from Weyburn to the Manitoba border.
In the 2012-13 construction season, $70.5 million has been budgeted for 150 km of rural highway upgrades, as well as commuter and tourism routes.
Motorists are reminded to slow to 60 km/hr past highway construction workers and equipment in the Orange Zone.
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For more information, contact:
Kirsten Leatherdale
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-8484
Email: kirsten.leatherdale@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-536-9692