Record Government Investment for 29 New Passing Lanes in the 2020 Highway Construction Season

Released on December 4, 2020

The 2020 construction season is wrapping up and the highlight was the opening of new passing lanes on Highways 7, 9, 10 and 39 in Saskatchewan.

“Our government is committed to improving highway safety and we are making record investments to achieve that goal,” Highways Minister Joe Hargrave said.  “Passing lanes are an effective way to keep traffic flowing safely as we get our goods to market.”

Upgrades to Highway 7 include the completion of eight new passing lanes between Fiske and Kindersley in the western part of the province.  Last year, four passing lanes were built between Rosetown and Fiske.  More than $120 million in highway safety improvements have been made between Saskatoon and Kindersley since 2014.

Nine of 10 passing lanes have opened on Highway 39 between Estevan and Weyburn.  The $78 million safety improvement project includes another two of four sets of passing lanes, which opened north of Weyburn earlier this fall.  

Six additional sets of passing lanes on Highways 9 and 10, around Yorkton, opened in the fall.  The $39.4 million project also included intersection improvements, access consolidation and 55 km of paving on Highways 9 and 10.

More than 1,030 km of improvements have been made this construction season including about 329 km of upgrades and repaving, as well as more than 705 km of seals and medium treatments which improve the surface and keep water out.  In addition, 14 bridge projects and 112 culverts have been completed with more to be delivered over the winter.

“Despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, the ministry and its partners developed effective protocols that allowed contractors, consultants and staff to safely complete one of the most successful construction seasons in recent memory,” Hargrave said.  “While many projects have wrapped up, work continues year-round.  Our government will continue to make investments that support the livelihoods of Saskatchewan people as we prepare for the 2021 construction season.”  

Drivers are reminded to observe posted speed limits in work zones and slow to 60 km/hr when passing highway workers and equipment.  

The Government of Saskatchewan’s 10-year Growth Plan includes a goal to build and upgrade 10,000 km of provincial highways.  With this year’s budget, the Government of Saskatchewan has invested more than $9.8 billion in highways infrastructure since 2008, improving more than 15,800 kilometres of Saskatchewan highways.  Another $300 million in highways stimulus funds will be invested over the next two years to stimulate Saskatchewan’s economic recovery.

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