More Than $130 Million in Highway Construction Contracts in Year 1 of the Stimulus Program

Released on February 11, 2021

Saskatchewan drivers and road construction workers are benefiting from Saskatchewan's two-year $2 billion stimulus program.  This investment aims to use targeted government investment to help drive economic recovery from the global pandemic.

In May, the Ministry of Highways announced it would inject an economic booster shot of $300 million over two years to stimulate recovery.  Some specific types of construction were targeted, including upgrades to thin-membrane surface (TMS) highways and passing lane projects.

“Our government is stepping up to support the Saskatchewan economy as we make our way through this pandemic,” Highways Minister Fred Bradshaw said.  “With the lowest unemployment rate in Canada we know our plan is working, and we're just getting started.”

Sixteen highway construction projects worth more than $130 million have recently been awarded and should be completed this fall. 

Some highlights include:

• TMS upgrades on:
  • Highway 43 from Gravelbourg to Highway 19;
  • Highway 56 near Katepwa Lake;
  • Highway 229 to Good Spirit Lake Provincial Park; and
  • Highway 322 from Glen Harbour to Rowan's Ravine Provincial Park.
• Passing lanes on:
  • Highway 2 north of Prince Albert to Highway 263;
  • Highway 3 from Prince Albert to Shellbrook;
  • Highway 12 from Martensville to Highway 312; 
  • Highway 14 from Saskatoon to Asquith; and 
  • Highway 16 from Guernsey to Dafoe and from Springside to Saltcoats

Another eight construction projects are in the tendering process.  At least four more will be tendered later this year.

The Government of Saskatchewan is meeting its target of improving more than 1,000 km of provincial highways this year, the first of its 10-year Growth Plan goal to build and upgrade 10,000 km of highways.

The Government of Saskatchewan has invested more than $9.8 billion in highways infrastructure since 2008, improving more than 15,800 km of Saskatchewan highways.

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