IMPROVEMENTS TO BEGIN ON HIGHWAYS 19 AND 42 NORTH OF CHAPLIN

Surfacing will take place on a 11.2 km section of Highway 19 north of Chaplin

and a four-kilometre section of Highway 42 to create a smoother driving surface

for travellers in south central Saskatchewan.



"Work will begin immediately on this $1.6 million surfacing project and should

be completed by late October," Highways and Transportation Minister Maynard

Sonntag said. "Completion of this job will require an estimated 35 full-time

workers."



W.F. Botkin Construction Ltd. of Regina was awarded the project as the lowest

of five bidders. The surfacing project on Highway 19 will begin approximately

10 km north of the junction of Highways 19 and 1 at Chaplin. Highway 42 will

receive four kilometres of new surface east of Riverhurst.



Across the province, there will be 101 major projects on 53 different

highways. Highways and Transportation's 2000 budget is $250 million, the

largest in the department's history.



"Highway 19 is an important route for north/south traffic travelling to a busy

provincial tourist destination at Lake Diefenbaker and Highway 42 carries a

number of commuters travelling to and from the Riverhurst ferry," Sonntag

said. "The department recognizes the important link between good highways

conditions and economic opportunities for our province."



Motorists are asked to drive safely through the Orange Zone and watch for

construction signs and equipment.



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For more information, contact:



Les Bell

Director

Engineering Services

Phone: (306) 787-0825

Cell: (306) 539-9189