Released on June 26, 2009
The access roads to the Emma Lake Recreation Site and Murray Point Campground will be rebuilt to provide a safer, smoother ride for residents and visitors to this popular Saskatchewan tourism region north of Prince Albert.
"Residents, tourists and business owners in the area have been suffering for years with an inadequate road in very poor condition that did not meet the needs of the users," Highways and Infrastructure Minister Jim Reiter said. "I am happy to announce that beginning in the 2010 construction season, the access will be completely rebuilt from the roadbed up."
Construction will take place on the 6.2 kilometres (km) access road from Highway 263 to the Okema Beach grid and the .8 km access road to the Murray Point subdivision and campground. These roads were originally thin membrane surface structures that broke up and were reverted to a gravel surface. The roads will be rebuilt to a structural pavement capable of carrying primary weights.
Design work is currently underway and the project will be tendered in fall 2009, to prepare for gravel crushing and hauling over the winter. This will ensure the necessary materials are in place for work to get underway in the 2010 construction season. Cost estimates cannot be released at this time as this information could influence tender bids.
"These roads are heavily used by summer tourists and a growing number of year-round residents," Reiter said. "This investment will help to support the current economic development of this regional economy and ensure it continues to grow."
In addition, construction is underway by Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport on a new $169,000 Emma Lake Recreation Site Entry Kiosk/Campground Office. In the fall of 2008 and spring of 2009 electrical service was added to 89 campsites with electrical upgrades made to another 39 campsites.
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For more information, contact:
Kirsten Leatherdale
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-8484
Cell: 306-536-9692