Released on November 25, 2010
The Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure is getting started on next year's work today, with the release of Phase 1 of highway construction tenders for the 2011 construction season. The release includes 39 projects worth an estimated $191 million.
"We're releasing tenders for 260 km worth of highway improvements, as well as 12 contracts for stockpiling construction materials and two bridge improvements," Highways and Infrastructure Minister Jim Reiter said. "The ministry tenders a portion of next year's highway work now to ensure materials and contractors are secured and in place prior to spring, when construction demand is at its peak."
The ministry is in its fourth year of a phased approach to releasing rolling tenders, which is a direct response to planning needs expressed by the Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association.
"The tender release isn't just a list of jobs," Reiter said. "It's part of a larger plan to build on the province's success and transform our transportation system to an efficient and safe network that supports current and future economic growth."
Highlights of the tender release, which is available in detail on the ministry's website in list and map form, include:
- Grading overpass embankments for a new interchange at Highway 1 and the West Regina Bypass (formerly Pinkie Road) to provide safe and efficient truck movement off Highway 1 to the Global Transportation Hub;
- Grading embankments for the south and north bridge approaches and abutments for the new St. Louis Bridge on Highway 2;
- 22 km of paving and 41.5 km of grading to advance the twinning of Highway 11 between Saskatoon and Prince Albert;
- Grading and paving the new Dalmeny Access Road from the Junction of Highway 16 to south of Dalmeny;
- Grading and paving on Highway 219 north of the Junction with Highway 15;
- Grading 4 km on the new all-weather road to Wollaston Lake (Highway 995); and
- Repaving 130 km of highways throughout the province.
Despite flooding and record rainfall that pounded Saskatchewan through most of the summer and early fall, more than 1,400 kilometres of highway improvements were completed in the 2010 construction season, including:
- 266 km of rural highway upgrades;1
- 2 km of new roadbeds constructed on Highway 11 between Saskatoon and Prince Albert;
- 8 km constructed on Phase 1 of the new Yorkton Truck Bypass;
- 348 km of repaving on the National Highway System and other heavily travelled highways;
- 834 km of light and medium maintenance work on paved highways; and
- 47 bridge improvements and culvert replacements.
Motorists are reminded to slow to 60 km/h in the Orange Zone as some construction activity, particularly bridge and culvert work, continues in the winter months.
For more information on highway tenders visit http://www.highways.gov.sk.ca/tender/.
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For more information, contact:
Kirsten Leatherdale
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-8484
Email: kirsten.leatherdale@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-536-9692