ROAD IMPROVEMENTS FOR NORTHERN SASKATCHEWAN

Released on August 1, 2000

Access roads to Cumberland House, the Cumberland House Provincial Historic Park

and the Clearwater River Dene First Nation will see a combined $3.3 million in

road improvements over the next four years.



The money for these projects comes from the province's four-year $120 million

Centenary Fund.



"We are pleased to be able to increase road work in northern Saskatchewan,"

Highways and Transportation Minister Maynard Sonntag said. "These projects are

important for our northern communities."



Highway 123 near Cumberland House will receive $2 million in road

improvements. Work is scheduled to begin in early September on the first

phase, which will see 4.5 km of surfacing from Cumberland House to the

Saskatchewan River at a cost of $600,000. The next three years will see 14 km

of spot improvements on Highway 123 between E.B. Campbell Hydroelectric Station

and Cumberland House. These investments will greatly improve Highway 123,

which serves as the only road access to the community.



An additional $400,000 will be provided for other road improvements in the area

including access to the historic site; Cumberland House was established in 1774

as the Hudson Bay Company's first inland trading post.



Highway 955 from La Loche to Clearwater River Dene Nation will receive $900,000

in road improvements over the next two years. This road is currently a very

low standard gravel road which has a high volume of traffic. Work will start

this fall and be completed in 2001.



Gravel crushing work for surfacing materials will begin this year at a cost of

$300,000. Next year, $600,000 in grading and surfacing work will be completed.



"By next year, the 550 residents of Clearwater River Dene First Nation and

other local road users will be able to drive on a surfaced road," Environment

and Resource Management Minister Buckley Belanger said.



"The Centenary Fund projects will improve community access for northern

residents and contribute to the growth of tourism travel to Northern

Saskatchewan," Northern Affairs Minister Keith Goulet said.

The Centenary Fund supplements current infrastructure spending so important

capital projects can be completed as Saskatchewan approaches its Centennial in

2005. The Centenary Fund will provide for several major provincial

transportation initiatives over four years. These initiatives will support

traffic safety, promote tourism and strengthen northern Saskatchewan.



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For more information, contact:



Doug Hansen

Director of Operations Services, Northern Region

Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation

Phone: (306) 953-3503



Brian Cousins

Executive Director, Corporate Services

Saskatchewan Northern Affairs

Phone: (306) 425-4216



Don MacAulay

Director, Parks and Special Places

Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management

Phone: (306) 787-2846