HIGHWAY 55 UPGRADED NEAR SHOAL LAKE

Released on October 10, 2001

Subgrade construction work is about to begin on a 12.8 km section of

Highway 55 near Shoal Lake.



"Work on this $1.6 million grading project is anticipated to begin in mid-

October and is expected to be completed by summer 2002," Highways and

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

require 33 full-time workers."



Work on the project will begin at the Shoal Lake Access Road and will

continue west for several kilometres. The subgrade construction will also

take place on a section of the Shoal Lake Access Road.



This section of Highway 55 is being upgraded under the department's

Northern Community Roads initiative.



"This road requires upgrades to carry the increasing heavy truck haul on

this route and to provide a wider and safer highway for local and tourist

traffic," Atkinson said. "By improving this section of Highway 55 and the

Shoal Lake Access Road, they will be able to accommodate higher volumes of

traffic."



Vector Enterprises Ltd. was awarded the project.



Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation's budget this year is a record

$311.7 million, which will help to resurface and upgrade 550 km of rural

and northern highways.



Motorists are reminded to drive safely through the Orange Zone and watch

for construction signs and equipment.



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For more information, contact:



Rock Gorlick

Highways and Transportation

Saskatoon

Phone: (306) 933-5225

Cell: (306) 227-2013