Released on November 13, 2013
Additional road cameras will be installed at various locations on some of Saskatchewan’s busiest highways over the coming months.
“Saskatchewan is a leader in providing timely and accurate road information to travellers,” Highways and Infrastructure Minister Don McMorris said. “The Highway Hotline gets about four million web visits and phone calls each year and 97 per cent of users say the system meets their needs; however, we’re always looking for ways to improve the service.”
The new camera locations include:
- Highway 1 at Moose Jaw;
- Highway 2 near the new St. Louis Bridge;
- Two locations on Highway 10; (at the Avonhurst Grid and near Balgonie)
- Highway 11 near Macdowall; and
- Highway 16 near the Borden Bridge.
Installation and activation of the new road cameras will be timed in order to coincide with major construction projects. The cameras generally cost more than $35,000 to install. The new cameras supplement other improvements made to the Hotline in recent years, including the Trucker’s Report, the use of social media and an improved interface for handheld devices.
While cameras make most visual road conditions available to drivers, they are not perfect.
“One of the most hazardous conditions Saskatchewan motorists face in the winter is black ice and this isn’t always evident on the cameras,” McMorris said. “Motorists should always consider all of the information available on the Hotline and drive according to road conditions.”
The Government of Saskatchewan has spent more than $180 million over the last five years keeping Saskatchewan’s highways clear of snow and ice in the winter, including nearly $43 million in 2012-13.
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For more information, contact:
Doug Wakabayashi
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4804
Email: doug.wakabayashi@gov.sk.ca