TWINNING WORK CONTINUES ON HIGHWAY 1 EAST

Construction work is now underway to continue twinning Highway 1 east of Regina to the Manitoba border, one of the province's primary transportation corridors.

"This twinning is part of our commitment to improving Saskatchewan's transportation network," Highways and Transportation Minister Maynard Sonntag said.

"Our progress toward the completion of twinning Highway 1 will increase the safety and efficiency of a primary transportation link for both the province and for Canada," Sonntag said. "Transportation is an industry of paramount strategic interest. It drives economic development at both the regional and national levels, and this project demonstrates once again that this is a priority for the Government of Saskatchewan."

The work on the twinning of Highway 1 is underway.

• Two contracts will deliver 30.9 km of surfacing on recently constructed subgrade. This year's work includes surfacing on the westbound lanes extending from 7 km west of the junction of Highway 201 near Broadview to 3.48 km west of the junction of Highway 9 at Whitewood and the completion of the two railroad overpasses near Broadview. These projects have a combined value of $11.2 million and funding for both is in partnership with the federal government as part of the Canadian Strategic Infrastructure Fund (CSIF) program.

• Three grading contracts will deliver 42.37 km of subgrade construction extending from 3.48 km west of the junction of Highway 9 at Whitewood to 3.69 km east of Wapella valued at $9.4 million. Funding for 36.74 km of this length is in partnership with the federal government as part of the CSIF program at a cost of $8.16 million. The remaining 5.63 km of this segment is in partnership with the federal government through the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program (SHIP) at a cost of $1.28 million.

The completion of this work will leave 41 km of subgrade construction and 83.4 km of surfacing construction to complete the twinning of Highway 1 corridor from the Manitoba border to Alberta border. Saskatchewan is on track to meet its commitment to complete the twinning of Highway 1 in 2007.

Remember to slow to 60 km/h when passing through the construction Orange Zone, and watch for construction workers, signs, and heavy equipment.

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:

Jamie Shanks Highways and Transportation Regina Phone: (306) 787-4805