PROVINCE TO IMPROVE HIGHWAYS IN THE WEYBURN/ESTEVAN AREA

Tenders have been awarded and gravel stockpiling is underway on several highway improvement projects listed on the Winter Tender Schedule for the Weyburn and Estevan areas.

"These highways are important transportation routes in southeast Saskatchewan, representing major tourism links and north-south trade corridors with the U.S.," Highways and Transportation Minister Maynard Sonntag said.

"Transportation is an enabler for economic development at both the regional and national levels, and these improvements demonstrate once again that this is a priority for the Government of Saskatchewan. We are working to enhance the sustainability of our provincial transportation network and ensure that it meets the unique challenges we face in the 21st century."

- On Highway 39, a total of 12.73 km will be resurfaced from Ralph to Weyburn. ASL Paving Ltd. of Saskatoon is the contractor. Gravel crushing and hauling in preparation for construction began February 2nd, and on-road construction is scheduled to begin on May 25th. This project is valued at $1.9 million and will employ 16 workers.

- On Highway 13, a total of 12.42 km will be resurfaced west of Weyburn, between Highway 28 and Highway 6. Potzus Paving and Road Maintenance Ltd. of Yorkton is the contractor. Gravel crushing and hauling began February 17th, and on-road construction is scheduled to begin June 10th. This project is valued at $1.6 million and will employ a total of 41 workers.

- On Highway 13, a total of 10.23 km will be resurfaced from 1.09 km to 11.32 km west of the junction of Highway 35 at Weyburn. Morsky Construction Co. Ltd. of Regina is the contractor. On-road construction commenced on October 11th, 2004 and will re-commence on approximately May 10th. This project is valued at $1.4 million.

- On Highway 39, a total of 20 km will be resurfaced from 18.53 km north of the U.S. border to the intersection with Kensington Avenue in Estevan. ASL Paving Ltd. of Saskatoon is the contractor. Gravel crushing and hauling in preparation for construction has begun, and on-road construction is scheduled to begin on July 4th. This project will be cost-shared with the federal government through the Border Infrastructure Fund (BIF). It is valued at $2.2 million and will employ 22 workers.

- On Highway 6, a total of 13.9 km will be resurfaced near Pangman, from 12.04 km to 25.94 km north of the junction of Highway 13. Potzus Paving and Road Maintenance Ltd. of Yorkton is the contractor. Gravel crushing and hauling for this project began on February 17th, and on-road construction is scheduled to begin on July 15th. This project is valued at $1.6 million and will employ a total of 20 workers.

"These projects are part of our commitment to maintaining and improving a comprehensive transportation network that supports economic development in Saskatchewan," Sonntag said.

These projects are included on Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation's 2004-05 Winter Tender Schedule (WTS). The WTS lists a total of 29 highway improvement projects, three bridge rehabilitations, and 11 gravel stockpiling contracts up for tender to Saskatchewan's road building industry this winter. The total value of the WTS is $79.5 million.

The highway improvement projects in the WTS for 2005 are tendered in the winter to get a jump on the spring and summer construction season. Additional projects will be announced in the spring when the 2005-06 budget is released.

For more information about road construction projects, and other Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation activities, visit the department's web site at: www.highways.gov.sk.ca.

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For More Information, Contact:

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