PROVINCE TO IMPROVE HIGHWAYS IN THE NORTH BATTLEFORD/LLOYDMINSTER AREA

Tenders have been awarded and gravel stockpiling has begun for highway improvement projects listed on the Winter Tender Schedule for the North Battleford/Lloydminster area.

"These projects, particularly our progress toward the completion of twinning Highway 16 between Saskatoon and the Alberta border, will increase safety and support regional economic development," 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 16, twinning work continues with a total of 20.34 km of paving east and west of Maidstone, including work on the Maidstone access road from its junction with Highway 16 to the town of Maidstone. Additional construction will also take place on various sections on Highway 21 between Highway 16 and Highway 40. Warner Construction Ltd. is the contractor. Gravel crushing in preparation for construction began on February 8th, and on-road construction is scheduled to begin in May. This project is being cost-shared with the federal government through the Canada Saskatchewan Infrastructure Fund (CSIF). It is valued at $5.9 million and will employ a total of 110 workers.

- On Highway 16, twinning progress continues with paving work from the end of the four-lane highway west of North Battleford to 5 km east of Delmas for a total of 13.6 km. This project is being cost-shared with the federal government through CSIF and is valued at $4.5 million. Work is estimated to be complete by June 15th.

- On Highway 40, a total of 18.24 km will be strengthened and resurfaced from 16.16 km west to 34.4 km west of the town of Battleford. G&C Asphalt Services Ltd. is the contractor and on-road construction is scheduled to commence in May. This project is being cost-shared with the federal government through the Prairie Grain Roads Program (PGRP) and is valued at approximately $5.2 million.

- On Highway 4, the northbound structure of the highway bridge over the North Saskatchewan River near North Battleford will be strengthened. Supreme Steel Ltd. is the contractor. The project, which is valued at $693,000 and is scheduled to be complete by March 31st, is the first phase of a three-phase project to complete the widening, strengthening, and rehabilitation of the bridge by late 2006.

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 WTS represents about half of the highway improvement projects that will take place in 2005. They 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