Released on August 23, 2012
New Link Named Highway 52A; Phases 1 and 2 Now Fully Serving Traffic
A new segment of the estimated $14 million Yorkton West Truck Route Project opened to traffic today - now known as Highway 52A - and will make travel easier for motorists and shippers.
"It's good to see truck traffic now able to use this route, which supports local canola crushing facilities, the agricultural sector, the province's export-based economy and the Saskatchewan Advantage," Yorkton MLA Greg Ottenbreit said on behalf of Highways and Infrastructure Minister Don McMorris. "With both phases now open, it'll help relieve truck traffic around Yorkton, reduce traffic congestion and improve safety."
The $5.4 million Highway 52A project - also known as Phase 2 of the Yorkton West Truck Route Project - saw a 6.0 kilometre (km) long bypass built to connect Highway 16 and Grain Millers Drive to Highway 52. Turning lanes were also built. Construction of Phase 2 began in October 2010. Final cleanup work in the ditches is expected to be finished during the 2012 construction season, depending on weather.
"LDM Foods wishes to congratulate the provincial government on the opening of this highway project, as it will be of great benefit to our employees, our company and the local community," Canadian Oil Seeds, LDM Foods Vice President Brian Conn said. "We also want to acknowledge our ongoing good working relationship with the local levels of government that contributes to our success."
"One of the key factors in building a world-class canola crushing facility here in Yorkton was having good access to main highways, which allows for safe, efficient transportation of people and goods to and from the facility," Richardson Assistant Vice-President - Operations Darrell Sobkow said. "The opening of Highway 52A certainly enhances that access and we appreciate the provincial government's investment in transportation infrastructure."
The $8.6 million Phase 1 portion of the project opened in the fall of 2010, after construction began in 2009. Construction work included: moving a 5.3 km long segment of Highway 16 about 400 metres south; re-aligning Highway 16's access to Grain Millers Drive; and re-aligning a portion of Grain Millers Drive.
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For more information, contact:
Dan Palmer
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4805