IMPROVING HIGHWAYS IN WEST CENTRAL SASKATCHEWAN

Construction work to improve various sections on a number of highways in central and west central Saskatchewan is now underway.

The improvement work is taking place on a total of 57.06 lane km of highways in the Success, Bladworth, Hawarden, Brock, Delisle and Saskatoon areas. This project is valued at approximately $860,000 and consists of microsurfacing treatments involving the placement of a mixture of crushed gravel, liquid asphalt, mineral filler, water and other additives on the road surface.

"This work is part of our commitment to build better highways for the people and industry of Saskatchewan," Highways and Transportation Minister Maynard Sonntag said. "Improvements to the highways in these areas will enhance the safety and effectiveness of our transportation infrastructure, supporting tourism and regional economic development."

The microsurfacing treatment functions to restore skid resistance, eliminate minor surface irregularities, level wheel ruts to reduce hydroplaning and to repair surface deterioration from weather and traffic.

The sections of highways where the construction is taking place include:

• Highway 5 from its junction with McKercher Road to Central Avenue in the City of Saskatoon, for a total length of 0.46 km;

• Highway 7 from its junction with Highway 45 to 1.83 km east of Highway 45;

• Highway 7 from 1 km west of its junction with Highway 30 to 8.65 km west of Highway 30, for a total length of 7.65 km;

• Highway 11 from 1.5 km north of the Bladworth access to 9.65 km north of the Bladworth access, for a total length of 8.15 km;

• Highway 19 from its junction with Highway 15 to 5.56 km south of its junction with Highway 15; and

• Highway 32 from the Success access to 10.1 km west of the Success access, for a total length of 10.1 km.

Traffic flow through the construction areas will be disrupted during the application of the micro-surfacing treatment with traffic required to reduce speeds to 60 km/h or less. Flagpersons and pilot vehicles will be in attendance on all two-lane highways and flagpersons only on all four-lane highways to guide traffic through the construction area. Construction is expected to be complete, weather permitting, by approximately September 3rd.

This year's budget provides $300 million for key initiatives such as completing 25 safety improvement projects, upgrading 147 km of thin membrane surface highways, and opening 57 km of newly twinned lanes on Highways 1 and 16 this construction season.

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

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For More Information, Contact:

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