IMPROVEMENTS TO HIGHWAY 123

Highway 123 and associated roadways near Cumberland House will receive major

improvements this construction season, including surfacing for 6.9 km and road

widening on some sections.



"This $1.2 million project, which has been partially funded by the provincial

government's Centenary Fund, will begin immediately and is expected to be

completed by the end of October," Highways and Transportation Minister Maynard

Sonntag said. "Completion of this job will require an estimated 31 full-time

workers."



Carmacks Enterprises Ltd. was awarded this project as the lowest of three

bidders. The contractor will place a layer of crushed gravel to strengthen the

roads on Highway 123 and the Historic Site Loop. The crushed gravel will then

be covered with an asphalt seal coat in order to provide a dust free surface.



The project also includes widening the existing airport access road to

accommodate the surfacing of a seven metre final width. The Hamlet Road to the

Historic Site will also be widened to surface a six metre final width.



"This project is very important to residents of Cumberland House and we

appreciate their patience while waiting for this project to come to fruition,"

Sonntag said. "This project will make the ride into Cumberland House much

smoother."



Across the province, there will be 101 major projects on 53 different

highways. Highways and Transportation's 2000 budget is $250 million, the

largest in the department's history.



Motorists are asked to drive safely through the orange zone and watch for

construction signs and equipment.



-30-



For more information, contact:



Rock Gorlick, Director

Engineering Projects

Saskatoon

Phone: (306) 933-5225

(cell) 306-227-8013