Released on May 16, 2013
The 2013-14 highway construction season is gearing up to provide for a safer highway network and support the provincial government’s growth agenda for Saskatchewan.
Today marks the first weekly construction update that will be issued from now through the fall to provide Saskatchewan residents with the latest details on projects underway.
“A safe, reliable, efficient transportation system is vital to our province as our population continues to grow,” Highways and Infrastructure Minister Don McMorris said. “This year’s construction plans build on the momentum of previous construction seasons and include multi-year mega projects designed to handle increasing traffic. We’ve invested more than a half a billion dollars per year in transportation each year since coming to office - a total of $3.7 billion, and this year is no exception.”
“The Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association members are ready to go to work building and maintaining our highway system and appreciate the government’s commitment to their long-term infrastructure program,” Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association President Shantel Lipp said. “Strategic investment into our transportation network creates a platform to fuel economic growth - nothing moves until the roads are built. Long-term commitment means industry will continue to reinvest back into the province through their capital investments and labour.”
The 2013-14 Budget will continue to improve Saskatchewan’s highways by providing $576.0 million to build, maintain and operate the highway system. This includes a $280.8 million highway construction budget. Motorists are reminded they must slow to 60 km/hr in work zones.
Construction season highlights include:
- Completing the last 13 km of twinning on Highway 11 between Saskatoon and Prince Albert (at Macdowall) to improve safety and traffic movement on this vital north-south corridor.
- Continuing construction on a new four-lane highway from Dewdney Avenue to Highway 1, known as the West Regina Bypass, as well as a new interchange (overpass) at Highway 1, to support safe and seamless traffic movement for TransCanada highway traffic and to the Global Transportation Hub.
- Breaking ground on new passing lanes between Balgonie and Fort Qu’Appelle to safely and cost-efficiently handle heavy traffic volumes.
- Beginning construction on the new 12 km, two-lane Estevan Truck Route, which will be built from the intersection of Highway 39 and Shand Road to Highway 39 west of the city.
- 280 km of repaving work on the province's busiest highways including Highways 1, 2, 6, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 32, 33, 37, 40, 41, 46, 55 and 106.
- 75 km of rural highway upgrades which rebuild the highway from the roadbed up, including:
- Highway 22 from Southey to Earl Grey
- Highway 27 from the Junction of Highway 2 to Vonda
- Highway 48 from the Junction of Highway 9 to Kipling
- Highway 55 from Peerless to the Alberta border
- Highway 58 from Lafleche to Gravelbourg
- Highway 123 west of Cumberland House
- Highway 263 Murray Point Access
- Highway 310 from Balcarres to Ituna
- 33 major bridge and culvert replacements to ensure the safety of these structures on the highway system.
- 45,590 km of centre line and shoulder lines painted on highways, as well as 28,258 pavement signs (such as arrows and stop bars).
- More than 9,100 signs replaced/installed in the highway right of way.
The Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure operates and maintains 26,000 km of provincial highways, 12 ferries and 17 northern airports. The ministry also regulates about 2,000 km of shortline railways.
All motorists are reminded they must slow to 60 km/hr in highway work zones. New simplified signage will direct drivers exactly when to slow to 60 km/hr. Drivers now face three times the normal fines for speeding and heavier enforcement in work zones. For your safety and the safety of workers, slow to 60 km/hr.
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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