SPRING TENDER SCHEDULE EXPANDS ON PROJECTS FOR 2006

Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation has released its 2006 Spring Tender Schedule, which lists an estimated $63 million worth of new highway improvement projects that will be tendered to the road building industry.

This schedule augments the previous work listed on the 2005-06 Winter Tender Schedule valued at an estimated $69.3 million, for a total of $132.3 million in available work for the upcoming 2006 construction season.

"A safe and efficient transportation system is key to a productive economy," Highways and Transportation Minister Eldon Lautermilch said. "The record amount being spent this year to improve our transportation network is a reflection of the province's commitment to drive economic development and meet the needs of the 21st century."

Major projects and initiatives in the 2006 construction season include:

- Twinning on Highways 1 and 16 - 63 km of newly twinned highway will be opened to traffic, including 40 km on Highway 1 east from west of Whitewood to east of Wapella, and 23 km on Highway 16 from west of Maidstone to west of Paynton. An additional 70 km of grading work will take place on Highways 1 and 16 in preparation for surfacing next year. This work is valued at approximately $49.4 million.

- Twinning on Highway 11 - nine km of grading new lanes will be completed from north of Warman to north of Osler, and grading work will begin on the next nine km section from Rheinland toward Hague for future surfacing. This work is valued at approximately $7.5 million.

- Resurfacing - 285 km will be resurfaced at an estimated cost of $39.9 million, including 189 km on the principal highway network and 96 km on the regional highway network. This work includes the rehabilitation of the northbound bridge on Highway 4 at the Battlefords at a cost of $2.9 million and beginning improvements to 4th Avenue through Estevan.

- Upgrading Thin Membrane Surface (TMS) highways - 78 km will be improved through the Prairie Grain Roads Program (PGRP), including upgrading 17 km on Highway 8 north of Redvers to a paved standard.

- Northern Infrastructure - Under Roads to Prosperity – the Northern Economic Infrastructure Strategy (NEIS), $8.55 million will be invested to begin rebuilding the Garson Lake Road to Fort McMurray and to prepare for construction on the 110-km access road into Wollaston Lake. A further $5.5 million will be invested to grade 30.4 km of Highway 55 in preparation for surfacing in 2007-08.

For more information on construction activities, go to www.highways.gov.sk.ca. It is the law in Saskatchewan to slow to 60 km/hr in the construction Orange Zone. Motorists are reminded to slow to 60 km/hr for their safety and the safety of highway workers. Drivers caught speeding through the Orange Zone will face substantial fines.

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For More Information, Contact:

Kirsten Leatherdale Highways and Transportation Regina Phone: (306) 787-8484 Cell: (306) 536-9692