RECORD HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION IN 2008

Over 1,400 Kilometres of Highways Construction and Maintenance Planned

It might take you a little longer if you're travelling in Saskatchewan this summer.

That's because a record budget of $513 million for Highways and Infrastructure will ensure highway construction activity on a scale never before seen in Saskatchewan - over 1,400 kilometres of construction and maintenance projects.

"It is essential that we have the necessary infrastructure in place to support our growing economy and fixing Saskatchewan's highways is a big part of that job," Highways and Infrastructure Minister Wayne Elhard said. "Our commitment to safety and ensuring prosperity is shared by all the citizens of our province, has been the guiding factors in choosing the projects in this plan."

The final phase of project tenders for 2008 will be released this week for bid by the road building industry and consulting engineers bringing the total construction work on the market at present to $176.2 million. An additional $32.1 million worth of projects will be tendered and delivered directly by municipal and First Nations partners. On top of this work, the Saskatchewan Party government anticipates additional projects will be tendered on an individual basis throughout the 2008 construction season as project details are finalized.

The Minister also released Year 2 projects for 2009. Delivery of these projects is subject to future budgets. Minister Elhard also noted that additional projects may be added, pending conclusion of a new federal-provincial infrastructure agreement, currently in negotiation.

"The $140 million in proceeds from the sale of the New Grade Upgrader that we promised to invest in highways and infrastructure will have a tremendous impact on highway construction this year," Elhard said. "It's another clear example of an election promise made and kept by this government."

Half of the proceeds or $70 million will be invested in 2008-09:

• $35 million to complete primary weight corridors in support of the Rural Highways Strategy, such as Highway 26 near St. Walburg, Highways 3 and 303 west of Glaslyn, Highway 37 south of Shaunavon and Highway 8 in the south east; and
  
• $35 million in long-term projects to position the province for future economic growth, such as the Regina Region Inter-Modal Project, infrastructure to support the development of canola crushing plants in Yorkton and new interchanges at Swift Current and Regina, and Saskatoon's south Circle Drive corridor.

Other 2008-09 Construction Highlights:

• 92.5 km of upgrades on thin membrane surface highways to pavement (grading and paving), including Highways 32 and 368;
  
• 80 km of paving projects including new twinned lanes on Highway 11;
  
• 284 km of resurfacing projects to preserve the quality of our paved highways, including a project on Highway 1 east of Maple Creek that uses a combination of crumb rubber from recycled tires and asphalt to provide a superior highway surface;
  
• 36 bridge projects and culvert replacements worth $19.4 million, a $10.5 million increase over last year; and
  
• 975 km of microsurfacing and seal coat maintenance projects throughout the province.

Motorists are reminded to slow to 60 km/hr in the Orange Zone when passing highway workers and equipment during this busy construction season.

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For more information, contact:

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