IMPROVING HIGHWAY 16 NEAR COLONSAY

Construction has begun on 22 km of resurfacing on Highway 16 near Colonsay.

The improvement project on Highway 16 is taking place from 2 km west of Colonsay to 3 km east of Viscount. Potzus Paving and Road Maintenance Ltd. of Yorkton was awarded the contract.

"This resurfacing project is part of our commitment to building better highways," Highways and Transportation Minister Maynard Sonntag said. "Road construction should be completed at the end of this month. Twenty-four full-time workers will be employed on this $2.6 million project."

Other work on Highway 16 this construction season includes twinning 13.6 km from west of North Battleford to east of Delmas, which will be open to traffic this fall. New lanes from 6 km east of Maidstone to 4.5 km west of Maidstone will be graded in preparation for paving in 2005. Highway 16 from the Battlefords to the Alberta border is scheduled to be completely twinned by 2007.

"Highway 16 serves as an important trade corridor and tourism link to the rest of Canada as part of the National Highway System," Sonntag said. "These improvements will enhance safety and support regional economic development, demonstrating once again that transportation is a priority for the Government of Saskatchewan."

Over the past three years, the province has invested $900 million in Saskatchewan's transportation network, improving 1,000 km of paved highways, upgrading 750 km of rural highways, and twinning 172 km on Highways 1 and 16.

This year's budget provides an additional $294.8 million to improve another 740 km of major highways and 30 bridges, and twin 53 km on Highways 1 and 16 this construction season.

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

For more information about highway construction in your area, view the provincial project map at: www.highways.gov.sk.ca.

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For More Information, Contact:

Kirsten Leatherdale Highways and Transportation Regina Phone: (306) 787-8484