HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENTS COMPLETED IN SASKATCHEWAN

Released on November 1, 2002

Transport Minister David Collenette and Saskatchewan Highways and

Transportation Minister Mark Wartman today announced the completion of a

project that twinned a portion of Highway 16 through Lashburn, Saskatchewan

and the opening of approach roads to a new bridge in North Battleford. The

projects were funded under the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program

(SHIP).



"The Government of Canada's $6.45 million contribution to these projects

has led to improvements that will enhance safety and improve the flow of

traffic in Saskatchewan, and help strengthen the National Highway System,"

Collenette said.



Highway 16, also known as the Yellowhead Highway, is the northern east-west

transportation corridor across Western Canada. Approximately 3,000

vehicles a day use the western section of Highway 16 in Saskatchewan.



Under SHIP, the two governments contributed $5.5 million toward the

twinning of approximately three kilometres of Highway 16 through Lashburn,

as well as the construction of connecting roads and new intersections.

Both governments have contributed $7.4 million under SHIP to twin and

improve the approach roads to the new bridge over the North Saskatchewan

River at North Battleford.



"The funding provided for these two twinning initiatives is an important

first step in twinning our National Highway System as outlined in the

provincial government's three-year strategic plan," Wartman said.



Under the SHIP agreement, the Government of Canada and the Province of

Saskatchewan will provide joint funding of $37 million over the next four

years for highway improvement projects in the province. The Saskatchewan

SHIP agreement, signed January 24th, 2002, is part of the national $600

million SHIP program announced by Collenette in April 2001.



Funding for this project was provided for in the December 2001 federal

budget and is therefore built into the existing financial framework.



A backgrounder with further information on SHIP is attached.



-30-



For more information, contact:



Anthony Polci Vanessa Gooliaff Beaupré

Director of Communications Highways and Transportation

Office of the Minister, Ottawa Regina

Phone: (613) 991-0700 Phone: (306) 787-4792

Cell: (306) 536-2497



Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and

speeches at www.tc.gc.ca/listserv/, and keep up-to-date on the latest from

Transport Canada.



This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons

with visual disabilities.