Released on August 25, 2011
The Weekly Provincial Highway Construction Update
Highway 39 between Weyburn and Estevan re-opened today to regular traffic, after line painting and paving were recently finished on a grade raise project west of Macoun.
"It's great to see this milestone reached and to see this portion of Highway 39 back in service, as we work to repair provincial highways damaged by flooding and high water levels," Highways and Infrastructure Minister Jim Reiter said. "Motorists should still be cautious in this area where the project occurred as some final work takes place on the side slopes of this road. We certainly appreciate all the patience and understanding of motorists."
Traffic will be reduced to one lane in the area during daylight hours only, as rocks are placed along the side slopes to prevent water erosion. Motorists are reminded to be alert, cautious and obey all signage and flagpersons as this work happens, which is targeted to be finished before Labour Day weekend. Paving was completed last night, while line painting was finished earlier today.
Highway 39 between Estevan and Midale was closed on Aug. 3 so a more than 1 km stretch of the road west of Macoun could be raised by 0.6 metres, after water had covered portions of the driving surface. This road closure was to facilitate this grade raise construction project and had closed Highway 39 between Weyburn and Estevan to all through traffic.
Meanwhile, new construction activity highlighted for this update period includes bridge repairs on the Highway 11 overpass over Highway 6 just north of Regina, surfacing on Highway 13 east of Griffin and a bridge replacement on Highway 18 west of Fir Mountain. More details about the work outlined above, along with other potential impacts to motorists and information about other projects in various stages throughout the province can be found in the attached backgrounder.
For information about emergency road closures, status of ferries and barges, along with other road activities, motorists and media can also get additional travel information from the Highway Hotline. The Highway Hotline is online at www.highways.gov.sk.ca/road-conditions/ and via telephone or wireless device as follows: Regina and area at 306-787-7623; Saskatoon and area at 306-933-8333; on the SaskTel cellular network at *ROAD; toll-free across Canada at 1-888-335-7623; and at http://roadinfo.telenium.ca/mobile.html.
This update is also posted to Facebook on the Saskatchewan Highway Hotline page.
Motorists are reminded to slow to 60 km/hr when passing highway workers and equipment and to be alert for any road construction or related activities as they travel.
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For more information, contact:
Dan Palmer
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4805