Released on April 29, 2015
The government is making every effort to repair and reopen highways in the Last Mountain Lake area in advance of the May long weekend.“Timelines are still dependent on weather, but we’ve pulled in crews from across southern Saskatchewan to help with the repairs, and we’re working seven days a week, 14 hours a day to reopen these highways as soon as possible,” Highways and Infrastructure Minister Nancy Heppner said. “We appreciate your continued patience as we undertake this important work.”
Crews have prioritized repairs to Highway 220 from the junction of Highway 20 to Rowan’s Ravine Provincial Park, and Highway 322 from the junction of Highway 20 to nine kilometres northwest. Campers are advised to use Highway 220 to access Rowan’s Ravine.
Both highways have been closed to all but local traffic since early April because of severe surface breaks caused by excessive moisture in the ground and, in some cases, overweight trucks traversing these roads. Local traffic will be subject to a weight restriction for the next two weeks.
For more information about these weight restrictions, visit www.highways.gov.sk.ca/restrictions/.
Three highway maintenance crews are scheduled to conduct repairs on Highway 220. A local contractor has been hired to work on Highway 322. The contractor will be focusing on a nine kilometre section of Highway 322 from Highway 20 to the northwest with the goal to reopen that section by the May long weekend. Work will also continue on repairing failures on the remainder of Highway 322. Repair efforts totalat least $50,000 per day, which is being managed within existing budgets.
Once repairs are complete, the roads will be smoothed and stabilized. Motorists should continue to drive with caution as there will be localized gravel sections where repairs have occurred. The ministry is looking at options for permanent repairs.
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For more information, contact:
Joel Cherry
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4805
Email: joel.cherry@gov.sk.ca