IMPROVING HIGHWAYS IN THE WEYBURN/ESTEVAN AREA

Released on March 3, 2004

Tenders have been awarded and gravel stockpiling is underway on four highway improvement projects listed on the Winter Tender Schedule for the Weyburn/Estevan area.

"The highways designated for improvements in the Weyburn and Estevan areas have experienced heavy truck traffic, leading to rutting and rough sections," Highways and Transportation Minister Maynard Sonntag said. "These projects, worth a total of $7.7 million, will enhance key transportation corridors in southern Saskatchewan and support regional economic and social development."

· On Highway 13, 10.2 km will be resurfaced west of Weyburn, beginning 1 km west of the Junction of Highway 35 continuing to 11 km west of the Junction of Highway 35. Morsky Construction Ltd. of Regina is the contractor. Gravel crushing and hauling in preparation for construction began February 2nd, and on-road construction is slated for August 30th. This project is valued at $1.4 million and will employ 43 full-time workers.

· On Highway 39, 7.7 km will be resurfaced through the town of Yellow Grass continuing northwest. ASL Paving Ltd. of Saskatoon is the contractor. Gravel crushing and hauling is expected to begin in mid-March, and on-road construction is set to begin June 10th. This project is valued at $1.1 million and will employ 24 full-time workers.

· On Highway 39, 18.2 km will be resurfaced from the U.S. border at North Portal to Roche Percee. ASL Paving Ltd. of Saskatoon is the contractor. Gravel crushing and hauling began January 20th and on-road construction is set to begin July 15th. This project will be cost-shared with the federal government through the Border Infrastructure fund (BIF). It is valued at $2.5 million and will employ 25 full-time workers.

· On Highway 6, 16.3 km will be paved from the U.S. border at the Port of Regway north. Carmacks Enterprises Ltd. of Edmonton is the contractor. Gravel crushing and hauling began December 10th, 2003 and on-road construction is scheduled for June 10th, 2004. This project is valued at $2.7 million and will employ 73 full-time workers.

The projects on Highways 39 and 6 will help to improve traffic flow through these Canada/U.S. ports. "Highways 6 and 39 are very important to Saskatchewan – serving as tourism links and major north-south trade corridors to the U.S.," Sonntag said.

These highway improvement projects for the Weyburn/Estevan area are included on Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation's 2003-04 Winter Tender Schedule (WTS). The WTS lists a total of 29 highway improvement projects, one bridge rehabilitation and 15 gravel stockpiling/bit mix contracts up for tender to Saskatchewan's roadbuilding industry this winter. The total value of the WTS is $72.8 million.

The WTS represents about half of the highway improvement projects that will take place in 2004. These projects are tendered in the winter to get a jump on the spring and summer construction season, while creating seasonal employment. Hauling gravel in preparation for these projects in the winter also helps to minimize road damage since the roadbeds are frozen.

Additional highway improvements projects will be announced in the spring when the 2004-05 budget is released.

For more information about road construction projects, and other Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation activities, visit the web site at: www.highways.gov.sk.ca.

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For More Information, Contact:

Kirsten Leatherdale Highways and Transportation Regina Phone: (306) 787-8484 Email: kleatherdale@highways.gov.sk.ca