RECORD INVESTMENT IN HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORTATION

Saskatchewan's new government is investing a record half-billion dollars to revitalize the provincial highways and transportation system so it can support our thriving economy.

The 2008-09 provincial budget boosts transportation spending to $513 million - the largest transportation budget in Saskatchewan's history and part of the $1 billion Ready for Growth initiative for capital and infrastructure improvements.

"Transportation infrastructure is essential to support and sustain our economic momentum," Highways and Infrastructure Minister Wayne Elhard said. "Enabling Saskatchewan people, and goods, to move easily and safely throughout the province is vital. In this budget, we are ensuring the province is ready for growth, by making numerous, significant commitments to building and repairing our roads and highways.

"We have made a commitment to address this province's infrastructure deficiency. With this budget's unprecedented half-billion dollar investment in transportation, we will either fulfil or make considerable progress on all of these commitments in year one of our mandate."

The $513 million Highways and Infrastructure budget - equivalent to nearly 140 per cent of on-road fuel tax revenues - represents a 15 per cent increase from 2007-08. Key government commitments met with this investment include:

• Exceeding the $1.8 billion four-year funding commitment to transportation infrastructure by $250 million (now over $2 billion);
• Accelerating from four years to two years, the commitment to invest $140 million from the sale of the New Grade upgrader, including $70 million in 2008-09 and $70 million in 2009-10;
• Providing $16.5 million in new funding to up to 25 urban municipalities under the Urban Highways Connectors program; and

Highlights of the 2008-09 budget support economic growth by targeting $137.5 million for new capital construction including:

• $54.1 million base funding plus an additional $35 million to upgrade TMS highways and expand access to Primary Weights on rural highways;
• Continued twinning of Highway 11 between Saskatoon and Prince Albert and completion of twinning of Highways 1 and 16;

The budget also ensures the safety and security of motorists by committing:

• $202.6 million to maintain, repair and resurface provincial highways - the largest preservation budget in Saskatchewan's history; and
• $19.4 million, including $10.5 million in new funding, to replace and rehabilitate aging bridges and culverts.
• $5 million to help rural municipalities improve municipal roads affected by truck haul traffic in heavy oil production

"We are very eager to proceed with our plans to develop an infrastructure network that meets the challenges of rapid economic growth and prosperity, and that will allow us to sustain our economic momentum into the future," Elhard said.

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For more information, contact:

Doug Wakabayashi
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4804