MOTORISTS ON HIGHWAY 1 EAST OF REGINA TO SEE CONSTRUCTION

Ramp construction on highway 1 near White city and Balgonie has begun. The work involves construction of an eastbound to south bound ramp and a northbound to eastbound ramp at the junction of Highways 1 and 48 at White City and the construction of a westbound to northbound ramp at the junction of Highways 1 and 46 at Balgonie.

"This work will improve safety on one of the busiest highways in the province and improve access and safety for the growing municipalities east of Regina," Highways and Infrastructure Minister Jim Reiter said. "Our government is committed to providing the transportation infrastructure that will allow our communities to grow."

Work on all three is expected to be complete by the end of this construction season, depending on weather and contractor progress. The ramp work at Highways 1 and 46 will begin following completion of the ramps at 1 and 48 and is also scheduled to be completed by the end of this construction season. The government is investing nearly $4 million to build these three ramps.

"The province and Pilot Butte, White City, Balgonie and the RM of Edenwold have worked together to put in place a plan that will improve Highway 1 now and over the long term," White City Mayor Bruce Evans said on behalf of the Highway 1 East Steering Committee. "This work is an important step in implementing that long term plan."

The ramps are part of the immediate recommendations of the Highway 1 East Functional Planning Study that was completed last November. The study was commissioned by the ministry; the Towns of Pilot Butte, White City and Balgonie; and the Rural Municipality of Edenwold to provide a long term to plan to enhance safety on Highway 1 and accommodate current and anticipated growth of the partner communities. The study's findings included immediate, short term, medium and long term recommendations. The recommendations can be viewed at http://www.highways.gov.sk.ca/highway1east.

With the work getting underway today, all of the study's immediate recommendations have been implemented or are underway. This includes:

• Completion of the functional design study for the future interchange at Highways 1 and 48.
• Completion of the functional design study for the future interchange at Highways 1 and 46.
• Commissioning a consultant for the functional design study for the future interchange at the junction of Highway 1 and the Pilot Butte Access Road.
• Commissioning a study of the lighting along Highway 1. The study is currently underway and is expected to be completed this fall.

In addition, the ministry is also doing a pilot study to determine the effectiveness of radar speed signs. The signs are intended to alert motorists to excessive speed and serve as a "traffic calming measure".

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For more information, contact:

Doug Wakabayashi
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4804
Email: doug.wakabayashi@gov.sk.ca