Released on October 3, 2012
Section of Federal-Provincial Twinning Project Complete
Highway 11 twinning between Prince Albert and Saskatoon took a big leap forward with 36 kilometres of new northbound lanes opening from north of Rosthern to south of Macdowall, providing a safer drive for families, farmers and shippers.
"Our government is proud to invest in this important work on Highway 11," said Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Member of Parliament for Battlefords-Lloydminster, on behalf of Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Transport). "The twinning of this highway has created good paying jobs in our region as well as improved the safety of motorists in our communities. Our government will continue to focus on job creation and strengthening the economy across Canada, including right here in Saskatchewan."
"Highway 11 is a very busy corridor, carrying upwards of 14,000 vehicles per day including commuters, tourists, shippers and many more," Batoche MLA Delbert Kirsch said on behalf of Highways and Infrastructure Minister Don McMorris. "The progress we make at each stage of construction has a huge benefit for all motorists."
A total of 36 kilometres of new northbound lanes are now open to motorists from 5.5 kilometres north of Rosthern to 1.5 kilometres south of Macdowall.
As part of this project, new southbound lanes are also being constructed around Duck Lake to provide safer highway access and improve traffic flow for Highway 11 travellers. Traffic will continue to run on the old highway at Duck Lake until the new southbound lanes are open, within the next two weeks, weather permitting.
Today's opening allows traffic to safely travel this portion of Highway 11 as work continues on the remaining 12 kilometres north and south of Macdowall that will be finished next year. That last section will complete the twinning of Highway 11 from Saskatoon to Prince Albert.
As the new lanes are opened, motorists are reminded to be cautious, alert and aware of signs directing traffic and are advised to slow to 60 kilometres per hour in the construction Orange Zone when passing workers and equipment.
The federal and provincial governments are each contributing up to $62 million to the Highway 11 twinning project.
Federal investment is provided through the Building Canada Fund to support economic growth in Saskatchewan and across Canada. Canada's Economic Action Plan 2012 focuses on job creation, economic growth and long-term prosperity. Strengthening infrastructure across the country is an important part of this plan. Thanks to the Government of Canada's leadership, and our strong economic and financial fundamentals, the Canadian economy has recovered from the global recession better than most other industrialized countries. Canada has been a leader among G-7 countries throughout the recovery, with nearly 770,000 net new jobs created since July 2009. Find out more about the opportunities in the Economic Action Plan 2012 at www.budget.gc.ca/2012/home-accueil-eng.html.
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For more information, contact:
Kirsten Leatherdale
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-8484
Cell: 306-536-9692
Media Relations
Transport Canada
Ottawa
Phone: 613-993-0055