WEIGHT SURVEY GATHERING DATA FOR BETTER HIGHWAYS

Truck drivers in Saskatchewan are being asked to help provide information on the trucks that travel the province's highways this summer.

The Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure will be conducting weight surveys in the month of July. The purpose of the survey is to gather current and representative information on truck weights.

"The information being gathered by this survey is a necessary part of our continuing work to improve the province's transportation network," Highways and Infrastructure Minister Jim Reiter said. "The amount of heavy truck traffic on our highways has shot up almost ten per cent between 2007 and 2008 alone, with the growth of the provincial economy requiring more products to be shipped by road on their way to their final destination. We conduct annual surveys in different regions of the province every year to help assist with highway planning and design to best handle this industry-driven traffic."

One-day surveys will be conducted during July and August across the province. During a 12-hour period, all trucks passing the survey site, including farm trucks, will be weighed.

In addition, other information such as commodity, point of origin, destination and truck type will be recorded. The weight survey will be conducted at 15 sites across the province.

Motorists are advised to drive with caution in the survey zones, which will be heavily signed with flag people directing traffic. All large trucks in the survey area will be stopped.

"While I recognize there may be slight delays that could inconvenience some travellers, I appreciate everyone's cooperation in helping us to safely collect this important data," Reiter said.

The following areas will be surveyed:

July 3: Highway 11 north of Regina

Week of July 6:
Highway 2 south of Moose Jaw
Highway 6 near Pangman
Highway 6 south of Raymore

Week of July 13:
Highway 13 west of Weyburn
Highway 47 north of Estevan
Highway 18 west of Oxbow
Highway 39 northwest of Estevan

Week of July 20:
Highway 33 at Fillmore
Highway 9 near Langbank
Highway 1 east of Moosomin
Highway 10 south of Yorkton

Week of July 27:
Highway 7 west of Kindersley
Highway 37 north of Shaunavon
Highway 1 near Beverley

"Although heavy truck traffic does take its toll on provincial highways, it is a good indication that our export-driven economy is on a roll," Reiter said. "This weight survey will help us determine where our transportation dollars are best spent."

-30-

For more information, contact:

Kirsten Leatherdale
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-8484

Doug Wakabayashi
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4804