1996-97 HIGHWAYS PROGRAM ANNOUNCED

Released on March 28, 1996

Highways and Transportation Minister Andy Renaud today announced the
province's $125 million 1996-97 highway construction and maintenance
program including increased highway preservation through savings
obtained by department streamlining.

"This year's budget has been increased by more than $700,000. Combined
with $5.6 million in savings from department streamlining, the
additional $6.3 million will be spent on road preservation and
construction," Renaud said.

The department is spending $125 million on highway construction and
maintenance, $89 million on highway maintenance, and $36 million on
construction. In addition, winter snow removal and ice control is
budgeted at $14 million for next year.

"During the government's pre-budget consultation there was considerable
interest shown in highways and in improving government operations.
This budget reflects the government's commitment to preserving our
highways and to streamlining operations," Renaud said.

"We are streamlining the department's administrative costs to put as
much as possible of the budget into road repairs. We will now be able
to direct savings from administration and operational spending to
improving and preserving our highways, bridges and airports."

Department streamlining includes combining and centralizing both head
office and regional services. Through streamlining 169 jobs will be
eliminated, including 23 motor transport services employees transferred
to SGI. Ninety-five per cent of the staff whose positions are being
eliminated are eligible for early retirement.

To increase efficiency, the department is closing 26 equipment storage
buildings throughout the province. These closures were the result of a
comprehensive province-wide review of the department's maintenance
activities. The department remains highly decentralized with 96
maintenance crews operating out of more than 107 communities.

Highlights of the 1996-97 construction program include:

continued four-laning of Highway No. 16 between Saskatoon and
the Battlefords
construction of a second bridge on Highway No. 16 at Borden
completion of four-laning on Highway No. 11 between Saskatoon and
Warman
completion of the Cumberland House Bridge
start of a new $6 million bridge at Outlook
paving the runway at the Stony Rapids Airport
3 resurfacing projects on the Yellowhead Highway - Highway No. 16
3 resurfacing projects on the TransCanada - Highway No. 1
7 bridge projects

"Recent developments in grain transportation, rail line abandonment,
elevator closures and an increase in heavy haul traffic are leading to
greater pressure on our highways. To meet these increased demands
Saskatchewan must continue to invest in highway preservation and
continually improve how it manages its transportation network. This
year's program strives to meet these challenges and preserve our
roads," Renaud said.
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For more information, contact:
Mike Woods
Director of Communications
Highways & Transportation
Regina Phone: (306) 787-4804
Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation
Equipment Storage Building Closures

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Balcarres Canora Birch Hills
Craik Delisle Carrot River
Francis Eatonia Paradise Hill
Hodgeville Hafford Shell Lake
Kincaid Humboldt
Mossbank Ituna
Oungre Macklin
Rocanville Meacham
Stoughton Neilburg
Strasbourg Wadena
Val Marie
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