Released on May 20, 2010
Weekly highway construction updates begin during Canada Road Safety Week
Drivers motoring into the Victoria Day long weekend are reminded to prepare for road safety throughout the construction season by always remembering to slow to 60 km/h when passing highway workers and equipment in the Orange Zone.
"Our construction season is taking shape with some projects underway and others starting up very soon," Highways and Infrastructure Minister Jim Reiter said. "Orange Zones where crews are working are going to become more common.
"Remember, drivers who exceed 60 km/h when passing highway workers and equipment face a base fine of $140. Be alert, be prepared to stop as directed and do your part to protect the lives of our team mates working to improve the transportation system for all of us."
Provincial highway construction work is now ongoing in many parts of Saskatchewan with work progressing on more than 20 projects, such as twinning Highway 11 between Prince Albert and Saskatoon, bridge work on Highway 1 near Chaplin and Highway 16 near Yorkton. More details about these and other projects are available in the attached backgrounder.
Construction work is subject to weather conditions and contractor progress. Motorists can also get additional travel information from the Highway Hotline online at http://www.highways.gov.sk.ca/road-conditions/.
Highway Hotline information via telephone or wireless device is as follows: Regina and area at 306-787-7623; Saskatoon and area at 306-933-8333; on the SaskTel cellular network at *ROAD; and toll-free across Canada at 1-888-335-7623; and at http://roadinfo.telenium.ca/mobile.html. Please remember in Saskatchewan it's illegal to use hand-held cell phones to talk, text, email or surf the Internet while driving.
Canada Road Safety Week runs from May 18 to 24 and is a national campaign to make Canada's roads the safest in the world.
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For more information, contact:
Dan Palmer
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4805