Released on December 9, 1998
Highways and Transportation Minister Judy Bradley today said 1998 wasa successful year for highway construction and maintenance in the
province.
"Several factors contributed to our success in 1998," Bradley said.
"First, highway spending increased by $30 million. Then, when
combined with the great construction weather, we had an exceptional
and long construction year."
The initial department budget of $219 million enabled the department
to continue its commitment to twin the Trans-Canada Highway and the
Yellowhead Highway by 2012.
Highlights of this year's program included:
Completed paving 14 kilometres of four-laning on Highway No. 12
from Saskatoon to Martensville;
Completed grading 27 kilometres of twinning on Highway No. 1 west
at Gull Lake;
Started grading new lanes for twinning on Highway No. 1 east at
Indian Head;
Opened a new $11 million bridge at Outlook;
Completed 154 kilometres of reconstruction on rural highways
impacted by increased grain haul, including Highway No. 334 near
Avonlea and Highway No. 21 near Unity.
Due to good construction weather and contractor capability an
additional $10 million was injected into the 1998-99 Highways and
Transportation budget in July.
"Highway spending has increased by more than $60 million over the
last two years," Bradley said. "The department is increasing
funding and steadily increasing our construction and maintenance
levels to meet the 10 year, $2.5 billion commitment set out in
last year's budget."
Highlights from the additional projects initiated or completed
because of the incremental $10 million addition include:
More grading on Highway No. 1 than originally planned;
Additional upgrading on Highway No. 165 near La Ronge;
Additional work at the intersection of Jct. of No. 6 and
No. 344 near Corrine;
Paving the existing lanes on Highway No. 1 east of Wolseley;
Paving Highway No. 11 Saskatoon to Dundurn started;
Paving Highway No. 16 vicinity of Langham started;
Strategic strengthening on Highway No. 13 west of Eastend;
Strategic strengthening on Highway No. 21 south of Leader;
Strategic strengthening on Highway No. 22 from Lipton to
Dysart;
Strategic strengthening on Highway No. 47 south of Estevan;
Strategic strengthening on Highway No. 342 east of Kyle.
"In 1998 we improved 3,600 kilometres of highway," Bradley said.
"In all we graded 240 kilometres of highway, paved 130
kilometres, resurfaced 360 kilometres and performed major repairs
on another 2870 kilometres. 1998 was a good construction year
and will help maintain our large investment in Saskatchewan's
highway system."
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For more information, contact:
Barry Martin
Assistant Deputy Minister
Highways and Transportation
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-4859