TWINNING ON HIGHWAY 16 TO COMPLETE NORTH BATTLEFORD TO LLOYDMINSTER CORRIDOR

Released on July 26, 2007

Premier Lorne Calvert and Highways and Transportation Minister Buckley Belanger were in North Battleford today to provide an update on the progress made in twinning Highway 16 and tour the 41.6 kilometre (km), $22.1 million construction project from Delmas to west of Paynton. The project is cost-shared between the provincial and federal governments.

"We are very pleased to meet with people in North Battleford and have the opportunity to tour the busy construction site on Highway 16 as this long-term project nears completion," Calvert said. "Highway 16 is an essential trade and tourism corridor running across the Prairies. The Province has invested $110 million over the past eight years to twin the highway between North Battleford and Lloydminster to ensure it will be efficient for shippers and much safer for all motorists.

"These record investments in our transportation system are all about supporting Saskatchewan's booming economy and working to make our province the best place for families today and to build an even stronger future here for our young people."

"Highway 16 is classified as an International Gateway and Corridor under the province's 10-year, $5 billion investment strategy, Transportation for Economic Advantage," Belanger said. "It serves as a route that connects Saskatchewan to regional, national and international markets. Thousands of trucks carrying goods - many of them Saskatchewan export goods - travel this highway everyday. We need to ensure those connections are seamless and safe."

Twinning construction began in earnest in 1999 at the end of the existing four-lane highway east of Lloydminster, and for the most part has carried on in consecutive sections each year toward North Battleford.

A funding partnership with the federal government through the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund and the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program has provided 50 per cent funding from the federal government since 2002-03. This additional funding allowed the province to accelerate the planned twinning initiative by three years.

The province has invested $110.7 million to complete the twinning between North Battleford and Lloydminster while $29.5 million has been contributed by the federal government.

"The twinning of this important highway reflects Canada's New Government's commitment to improving transportation infrastructure across the country," said federal Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities Lawrence Cannon. "This project once completed will help enhance the safety of Canada's National Highway System and improve the flow of goods and people along this important highway."

"Canada's New Government is working hard to rebuild critical infrastructure throughout Saskatchewan and across Canada," said Gerry Ritz, Member of Parliament for Battlefords-Lloydminster and Secretary of State for Small Business and Tourism. "Our government is proud to play an integral role in continuing the work to twin Highway 16."

In the 2007 construction season, five grading and paving contractors are working in succession on the last 41.6 km stretch between Delmas to west of Paynton including Kay's Construction, Wappel Construction, North American Rock and Dirt, Carmacks, Warner Construction, and Potzus Paving and Road Maintenance.

Motorists are reminded to slow to 60 km per hour in the Orange Zone when passing highway workers and equipment. For more information on construction projects, Transportation for Economic Advantage and other programs and initiatives go to 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
Cell: 306-536-9692

TWINNING ON HIGHWAY 16 TO COMPLETE NORTH BATTLEFORD TO LLOYDMINSTER CORRIDOR

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