IMPROVING HIGHWAYS IN THE PRINCE ALBERT AREA

Tenders have been awarded and gravel stockpiling is underway on highway improvement projects listed on the Winter Tender Schedule for the Prince Albert area.

"The highways designated for improvements in the Prince Albert area are subject to heavy truck traffic, which leads to rutting and rough sections," Highways and Transportation Minister Maynard Sonntag said. "These projects will rehabilitate key transportation corridors in north central Saskatchewan to support regional economic and social development."

· On Highway 11, 9.6 km will be resurfaced, from approximately 13 km to 23 km north of Duck Lake. The contractor on this project is H.J.R. Asphalt of Saskatoon. Crushing and hauling of gravel in preparation for construction is planned to begin in early March and on-road construction is scheduled for the summer. This project is valued at $850,000 and will employ 24 full-time workers.

· On Highway 2, 9.6 km will be resurfaced north of Wakaw, from 7 km to 16 km north of Wakaw. This project is currently being tendered, and a construction tender will be awarded by early April.

· On Highway 106, 16 km will be resurfaced north of Smeaton, beginning 10 km north of the junction with Highway 55. The contractor on this project is Carmacks Enterprises Ltd. of Edmonton. Crushing and hauling of gravel in preparation for construction is underway, and on-road construction is set for June 15th. This project is valued at $2.2 million and will employ 92 full-time workers.

· On Highway 55, 3.7 km will be resurfaced immediately north of the junction with Main Street in Big River. In addition, an intersection treatment and truck pull off will be constructed and paved at this junction. The contractor is G.W. Construction Ltd. of Buchanan. Crushing and hauling of gravel in preparation for construction is underway and on-road construction is slated for May 17th. This project is valued at $1.3 million and will employ 43 full-time workers.

· On Highway 55, 9 km will be resurfaced beginning 1 km east of Love and continuing west of Love. Two bridges in this vicinity, located 10.6 km west of Love and 15.1 km north of the Junction of Highways 55 and 106 will be resurfaced. The contractor is Potzus Paving and Road Maintenance Ltd. of Yorkton. Gravel crushing and hauling in preparation for construction is underway, and on-road construction should begin June 1st. This project is valued at $1.4 million and will employ 43 full-time workers.

The highway improvement projects for the Prince Albert area are included on Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation's 2003-04 Winter Tender Schedule (WTS). The WTS lists a total of 29 highway improvement projects, one bridge rehabilitation and 15 gravel stockpiling contracts up for tender to Saskatchewan's roadbuilding industry this winter. The total value of the WTS is $72.8 million.

The WTS represents about half of the highway improvement projects that will take place in 2004. These projects are tendered in the winter to get a jump on the spring and summer construction season, while also creating seasonal employment. Hauling gravel in preparation for these projects in the winter also helps to minimize road damage since the roadbeds are frozen.

Additional highway improvements projects will be announced in the spring when the 2004-05 budget is released.

For more information about road construction projects, and other Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation activities, visit the web site at: www.highways.gov.sk.ca.

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For More Information, Contact:

Kirsten Leatherdale Highways and Transportation Regina Phone: (306) 787-8484 Email: kleatherdale@highways.gov.sk.ca