$69.3 MILLION HIGHWAYS WINTER TENDER SCHEDULE

Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation today released its $69.3 million Winter Tender Schedule for 2005-06.

"This is another substantial Winter Tender Schedule, demonstrating the province's ongoing commitment to invest in highway improvements that support the provincial economy," Highways and Transportation Minister Eldon Lautermilch said. "Tendering these projects now will allow us to get contractors and materials in place in advance of the spring construction season."

A total of 19 highway projects with a length of 250 km, two bridge rehabilitation projects, four micro-surfacing projects, one seal coat project, eight stockpiling projects and one bituminous mix project will be up for tender to Saskatchewan's road building industry this winter.

These projects will not only serve to strengthen Saskatchewan's highway network, but will also create jobs for more than 1,386 seasonal construction workers. Approximately 156 of those jobs will begin this winter with the balance in the 2006-07 construction season.

The Winter Tender Schedule represents approximately 64 per cent of planned construction activity in 2006-07. Additional projects may be added this winter pending contractor progress and weather. Further highway improvement projects will be announced when the 2006-07 provincial budget is released.

By releasing a Winter Tender Schedule, timely and efficient delivery of highway improvements is ensured for the motoring public. The winter tenders generate seasonal employment for the road building industry, facilitate a head start on the coming construction season and will minimize road damage by hauling gravel while the roadbeds are frozen.

Highlights of the Winter Tender Schedule include:

• 169 km of pavement resurfacing valued at $27 million;

• 81 km of grading and paving valued at $27 million;

• 400 km of micro-surfacing (to fill ruts and correct the surface condition for a smooth driving surface) valued at $6 million;

• eight gravel stockpiling projects valued at $5.7 million; and

• two bridge rehabilitation projects valued at $1.75 million.

Major initiatives include:

• Twinning 40 km on Highway 1 East from 3 km west of Whitewood to 3.6 km east of Wapella. This is cost shared with the federal government through the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund (CSIF);

• Grading 18.3 km on Highway 1 East from 3 km east of Moosomin to the Manitoba border (in preparation for paving in 2007). This is cost shared with the federal government through CSIF;

• Twinning 10.4 km on Highway 16 from 10 km west of Paynton to 6 km east of Maidstone. This is cost shared with the federal government through CSIF;

• Resurfacing the runway and aprons at Meadow Lake Airport;

• Rehabilitating the Highway 11 bridge on the northbound Ring Road over the north service road structure (in Regina);

• Grading 12.3 km on Highway 55 from the junction of Highway 26 to 11 km east; and

• Resurfacing 16.5 km on Highway 13 from Carlyle to Arcola.

A copy of the Winter Tender Schedule and map, detailing specific projects province-wide, can be found at the Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation website at www.highways.gov.sk.ca.

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For More Information, Contact:

Kirsten Leatherdale Highways and Transportation Regina Phone: (306) 787-8484 Cell: (306) 536- 9692