IMPROVEMENTS TO HIGHWAY 21 AND 31 NEAR KERROBERT

Resurfacing is now complete on a 9.8 km section of Highway 21 south of Kerrobert, an 11 km section north of Kerrobert and on a 7.7 km section of Highway 31 northwest of Kerrobert near Luseland.

"These projects are part of our commitment to building better highways," Highways and Transportation Minister Mark Wartman said. "Highways 21 and 31 are key transportation routes in west-central Saskatchewan that have seen an increase in truck traffic, leading to wear and tear on the highway surface. We are resurfacing sections that have deteriorated over the past number of years."

Resurfacing south of Kerrobert on Highway 21 took place from its junction with Highway 307 to its junction with Highway 31, at a cost of $1.5 million. Resurfacing has also been completed on a section of Highway 21 north of Kerrobert that begins 2 km north of its junction with Highway 374 and continues for 11 km, at a cost of $1.3 million.

Resurfacing on Highway 31 has been completed from Luseland to 7.7 km southeast. This project was worth $1.03 million.

A fourth project in the same area is currently under construction, on 10.3 km of Highway 31 east and west of Salvador. Surfacing is taking place from 2.2 km east of Salvador to 8.1 km west of Salvador. This $1.9 million project is cost-shared through the federal-provincial Prairie Grain Roads Program (PGRP), and should be completed by mid-September.

"In Saskatchewan, highways are a lifeline - connecting us to one another and driving economic development," Wartman said. "The improvements to Highways 21 and 31 demonstrate once again that transportation is a priority for the Government of Saskatchewan as we build towards our wide open future."

The government has committed $296.2 million to building better highways in 2003-2004. More than 700 km of highways will be reconstructed and paved this year.

Motorists are reminded to reduce speed and drive safely through the Orange Zone and to also watch for construction signs and heavy equipment during this season of heavy road construction.

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:

Kirsten Leatherdale Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation Regina Phone: (306) 787-8484 Email: kleatherdale@highways.gov.sk.ca