Released on March 31, 2017
Modern and efficient roadways are crucial to encouraging and supporting economic activity, facilitating trade, and creating good paying, middle class jobs. The governments of Canada and Saskatchewan are investing in well-planned infrastructure that will make it easier to move people and products across the country, while supporting sustained economic growth and productivity for years to come.Today, Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and Highways and Infrastructure Minister David Marit announced funding for five highway rehabilitation projects in Saskatchewan.
“As a trading nation, Canada needs to ensure that people and products can move quickly and safely—from home to work, and from business to business,” said Goodale. “These Government of Canada investments in key highways in Saskatchewan will create jobs today while supporting a reliable transportation system and economic growth tomorrow.”
“Investing in infrastructure is a part of our plan to keep the Saskatchewan economy strong,” Marit said. “We are pleased to partner with the Government of Canada on projects that will help Saskatchewan meet the challenges of a growing province, help build the economy and most importantly, help people get home safely.”
The federal government is providing up to 50 per cent of funding for these projects—just over $31.6 million—and the Government of Saskatchewan is responsible for all remaining costs. The projects have a combined total estimated cost of more than $64.2 million.
The five major highways included in these projects are part of the National Highway System. It forms the backbone of the provincial transportation network and supports national, provincial and regional economic activity, and helps businesses access key options for ocean, air, rail and ground transportation. They connect the four western Canadian provinces, tying together major population centres and lead to strategic border crossings within Canada.
Resurfacing more than 220 kilometres of this network will help reduce long term costs and will extend the life of these roads by more than 25 years. These improved road surface conditions will reduce travel times and the wear and tear on vehicles. In addition, several safety improvements made as part of these projects will reduce the risk of collisions at key highway intersections, making for a better, safer drive for all travellers.
Quick facts:
- The Government of Canada will provide more than $180 billion in infrastructure funding over 12 years for public transit, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, transportation that supports trade, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.
- To support public transit networks and service extensions, Budget 2017 proposed $20.1 billion over 11 years for provinces and territories.
- Government of Canada’s $180-billion+ infrastructure plan in Budget 2017: http://www.budget.gc.ca/2017/docs/plan/chap-02-en.html#Toc477707375
- Federal infrastructure investments in Saskatchewan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/sk-eng.html
- The Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component – National and Regional Projects: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/nrp-pnr-prog-eng.html
For more information, contact:
Brook Simpson
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
Ottawa
Phone: 613-219-0149
Email: Brook.Simpson@canada.ca
Paul Spasoff
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4804
Email: paul.spasoff@gov.sk.ca
Infrastructure Canada
Phone: 613-960-9251
Email: media@infc.gc.ca