GRASSWOOD ROAD INTERSECTION PRELIMINARY DESIGN UNVEILED

Released on November 23, 2000

Preliminary design plans for the new $2 million Grasswood Road intersection

project south of Saskatoon were released today.



The intersection, currently located 4 km south of Saskatoon on Highway 11, will

be relocated 300 metres south to improve safety. Project construction will

start next spring.



Consulting and final design work has been awarded to Associated Engineering of

Saskatoon. A detailed design survey by this company has begun and is expected

to be completed in December.



"We studied measures to improve safety and found relocating the intersection

was the best long-term solution," Highways and Transportation Minister Maynard

Sonntag said. "We've consulted with affected businesses to consider their

concerns and came up with a design plan that will serve them and the travelling

public."



Alternatives were suggested for improving the intersection however, the

intersection runs at a sharp angle close to a curve and is used by about 10,000

vehicles a day, making relocation the best option.



Construction work on the intersection will begin next spring, with completion

anticipated for October 2001.



Funding for the project comes from the province's Centenary Fund. The $120

million fund will be used to help finance several infrastructure and capital

projects as Saskatchewan approaches the 2005 provincial centennial.



– 30 –



For more information, contact:



Frank Skilnick, Acting Operations Engineer Mike Woods, Director of

Communications

Highways and Transportation Highways and Transportation

Saskatoon Regina

Phone: (306) 933-5185 Phone: (306) 787-4804

(cell) 222-5318 (cell) 536-9692