IMPROVING HIGHWAY 37 NORTH OF CLIMAX

Released on August 16, 2004

The second phase of construction on Highway 37 north of Climax has begun.

Surfacing will take place from 3 km south to 10.5 km north of the Frenchman River. W.F. Botkin Construction Ltd. is the contractor on this $2.3 million project.

The first phase of construction on this stretch of Highway 37 included grading, or preparing the roadbed for surfacing. Grading work is now complete.

The total cost of this highway improvement project is $6.4 million. The work will be cost-shared with the federal government through the Prairie Grain Roads Program (PGRP), a federal-provincial partnership designed to improve Saskatchewan's secondary highways impacted by increased grain haul.

The public's patience over the construction period is appreciated. There will be an occasional disruption of traffic until the project is completed in late Sept. or early Oct.

"This grading and paving project is part of our commitment to building better highways," Highways and Transportation Minister Maynard Sonntag said. "The work on Highway 37 will improve safety and support regional economic development, demonstrating once again that transportation is a priority for the Government of Saskatchewan."

Over the past three years, the province has invested $900 million in Saskatchewan's transportation network, improving 1,000 km of paved highways, upgrading 750 km of rural highways, and twinning 172 km on Highways 1 and 16.

This year's budget provides an additional $294.8 million to improve another 740 km of major highways and 30 bridges, and twin 53 km on Highways 1 and 16 this construction season.

Remember to slow to 60 km/h when passing through the construction Orange Zone, and watch for construction workers, signs and heavy equipment. For more information about construction in your area, view the provincial project map at: www.highways.gov.sk.ca.

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For More Information, Contact:

Doug Wakabayashi Highways and Transportation Regina Phone: (306)787-4805