MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS FOR HIGHWAYS 19 & 42

Released on April 23, 2001

Surfacing is set to begin on a total of 29.5 km of Highways 19 and 42 near

Central Butte this week.



"Work for this $3.6 million surfacing project is anticipated to begin at

the end of April and should be completed by late September," Highways and

Transportation Minister Pat Atkinson said. "Completion of this job will

require an estimated 68 full-time workers."



The surfacing project on Highway 19 to provide granular pavement will begin

20 km north of the junction of Highways 1 and 19 at Chaplin and will

continue for 23.5 km to Central Butte. Resurfacing on an existing granular

pavement will also take place on Highway 42 from Central Butte to 7 km west

of Central Butte.



W. F Botkin Construction Ltd. of Regina was awarded this surfacing project.



This surfacing project was identified in the 2000/2001 Winter Tender

Schedule for Saskatchewan highway work, worth an estimated $90 million.

The Winter Tender Schedule ensures timely and efficient delivery of highway

improvements this spring.



"This is a lengthy stretch to be surfaced on these two highways so we are

getting an early start in order to complete the project this season,"

Atkinson said. "Drivers in the Central Butte area will notice a

significant difference in their local highways once these two projects are

completed.



"Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation is working hard to fix roads

across the province to improve driver safety."



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For more information, contact:



Les Bell, Director

Engineering Projects

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-0825

(cell) (306) 539-9189