PROVINCE TO INVEST $7.5 MILLION IN HIGHWAY 310 UPGRADE THROUGH PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

The province is investing $7.5 million over five years to upgrade Highway 310 from Balcarres to Ituna through a partnership agreement with local municipalities.

Construction is expected to start the week of July 23, on the first phase of this multi-year project, which will see the 41 kilometre (km) long corridor upgraded to a granular pavement from a deteriorating thin membrane surface highway.

"We're focusing investments on projects that will support our economy as part of our new and innovative provincial strategy, Transportation for Economic Advantage," Highways and Transportation Minister Buckley Belanger said. "The upgrade to Highway 310 will provide an improved transportation link to the local agriculture sector, along with other area shippers and local residents."

The partnership is between Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation, the Towns of Balcarres and Ituna, and the Rural Municipalities of Abernethy, Tullymet and Ituna Bon Accord. Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation will manage construction, while the other partners will assist in securing gravel and share in up to ten per cent of the cost of the project.

The department plans to upgrade approximately 4 kms this year from Balcarres north. Sections of Highway 310 will be upgraded each subsequent construction season until the corridor is finished.

Highway 310 between Balcarres and Ituna, is considered a Rural Economic Corridor under the provincial transportation strategy, Transportation for Economic Advantage. The province will continue to make investments in the Rural Economic Corridor network, which is designed to provide seamless links from regional economies to national and trade routes.

Through Transportation for Economic Advantage, the province will invest $5 billion over 10 years to upgrade and realign the provincial transportation network to best serve the needs of our growing and diverse economy.

For everyone's safety, motorists are also reminded to slow to 60 km in all construction Orange Zones when passing highway workers and equipment. Drivers caught speeding in the Orange Zone face severe fines.

For more information on highway construction, maintenance, the Orange Zone and Transportation for Economic Advantage, please visit www.highways.gov.sk.ca.

-30-

For more information, contact:

Doug Wakabayashi
Highways and Transportation
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4804
Cell: 306-536-0049