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.
Close to home, this funding means the development of new passing lanes along HWY 16 between Springside and the Manitoba border.
According to the Ministry of Highways, the project is slated to begin this fall. The project was split into two contracts, the first of which concerns the building of five passing lanes from Springside to the west of Saltcoats. It was awarded to Langenburg Redi-Mix (based in Regina) for a value of $6.8 million. Work will begin in the fall with completion expected in the late fall of 2022.
The second contract is to build seven passing lanes from Springside east to the Manitoba border. That contract is scheduled to be tendered this summer and should also be completed by late fall 2022.
The project is being funded through the Highways portion of the government’s $2 billion stimulus fund, which totals $300 million. The stimulus fund is aimed at helping the economy recover from the impacts of the global pandemic, and Highways’ allocation is going to a variety of Thin Membrane Surface upgrades, passing lanes and upgrades to municipal roads and airports.
It is important to note that the Government of Saskatchewan has invested more than $10.6 billion in highway infrastructure since 2008, improving more than 17,100 km of Saskatchewan highways.
Passing lanes will be developed in many areas of the province, including 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.
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.
By Gary Horseman
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
garyfourtownjournal@gmail.com
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