1,000 kilometres of Sask. highways earmarked for improvements this construction season

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Spring in Saskatchewan is a double-edged sword.

Beautiful weather marks the end of a typically long winter, but also paves the way for highway construction season to kick off.

This year, the Government of Saskatchewan announced it is investing more than $700 million in improvements to 1,000 kilometres of provincial roads.

“This year’s investment in highway construction has a focus on safety,” Highways and Infrastructure Minister Lori Carr said in a news release. “We are launching the Enhanced Intersection Safety Program, which is a multi-year plan that funds a number of safety-focused projects provincewide.”

The Enhanced Intersection Safety Program will fund intersection safety enhancements, rumble strips, clearing of sight triangles and other safety projects like guardrails and lighting.

“We are also continuing work on several passing lane projects,” added Carr. “Once complete, the passing lanes will improve safety and traffic flow.”

Construction is underway on passing lanes on Highway 2 north of Moose Jaw, as well as two sets between Rosetown and Kindersley on Highway 7. Work for passing lanes on Highways 9 and 10 near Yorkton will begin later in the summer.

More than a dozen projects, representing about 100 km of highway work, is expected to be tendered this spring. Those projects include intersection improvements on the Trans-Canada Highway at Kalium Road, 15 kilometres of resurfacing Highway 6 north of Southey, 38 kilometres of resurfacing west of Delisle on Highway 7, 32 kilometres of resurfacing on Highway 39 south of the junction near Corinne and 14 kilometres of resurfacing on Highway 47 south of Estevan. 

All tenders can be found at www.sasktenders.ca and a weekly highway construction update is published on www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/transportation.

Residents can report a highway work zone signing problem by calling 306-244-5535, and are encouraged to check the Highway Hotline for road restrictions before planning a trip by visiting www.saskatchewan.ca/highwayhotline.