$53.6 MILLION FOR ROAD IMPROVEMENTS

Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation's Spring Tender Schedule will result in the tendering of 34 projects valued at $53.6 million this summer.

"The Government of Saskatchewan is taking action on our commitment to build a safe and efficient transportation infrastructure," Highways and Transportation Minister Mark Wartman said. "Our Spring Tender Schedule will help us achieve this goal."

Highlights of the Spring Tender Schedule are:

- $21.5 million for twinning projects, including grading on 13km of Highway 1 east, surfacing 23 km of Highway 1 west and combined grading and surfacing of 15.1 km of Highway 1 west.

- $7.5 million for rural reconstruction, including 9.9 km of Highway 13 from the Aneroid access to east of Ponteix, starting to grade Highway 21 from 8 km south to 2 km north of the Battle River, and grading and surfacing of 15.8 km of Highway 3 from Glaslyn to Fairholme.

- $1.2 million has been allocated for northern highway improvements and $21.1 million for 17 projects to preserve and maintain existing roads.

"We are focused on improving our national highway system, resurfacing provincial highways, rebuilding our rural roads, and improving access to northern Saskatchewan," Wartman said. "Saskatchewan's future is wide open and these improvements to our infrastructure will help us continue to ensure economic benefits for the people of Saskatchewan."

These projects are in addition to those announced in the winter tender schedule. The 36 projects announced last fall are valued at $70.9 million. Road construction activities in 2003 will include the majority of the winter tender projects announced, as well as the additional projects for this spring.

Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation will commit $296.2 million to improving Saskatchewan highways and transportation infrastructure this year. More than 750 km of highways will be improved.

The complete 2003-2004 construction project list and Spring Tender Schedule are available at www.highways.gov.sk.ca.

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For More Information, Contact:

Barry Martin Highways & Transportation Regina Phone: (306)787-4859 Email: bmartin@highways.gov.sk.ca