NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION WEEK

Whether driving from town to town, shipping grain to market by rail or flying to a vacation destination, this week is an opportunity to reflect upon the importance of our transportation system.

The week of June 2nd has been proclaimed "Transportation Week" in Saskatchewan, Highways and Transportation Minister Mark Wartman announced today.

"It is impossible to overstate the impact the transportation system has on our lives," Wartman said. "The jobs our industries provide are directly dependent on a modern, efficient and safe transportation system. Furthermore, it supports our communities by linking towns, villages and cities, and provides access to health care, education and recreation."

This year's provincial budget recognizes the importance of transportation by providing more than $296 million – equivalent to more than 95 per cent of on-road fuel tax revenues – to the province's transportation system. This is the second largest budget in Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation's history.

The Government of Saskatchewan's commitment to a modern and competitive infrastructure is helping to create a wide open future for the province. Accelerated twinning will see four lane highways on the entire length of Highway 1 and Highway 16 from North Battleford to Lloydminster by 2007. This year, Highways and Transportation will resurface more than 385 km of provincial highways, upgrade more than 245 km of Thin Membrane Surface highways and invest more than $31 million to upgrade, operate and maintain northern highways, bridges and airports. In addition, the speed limit on twinned portions of Highways 1, 11 and 16 will increase to 110 km/h on June 1st.

Transportation Week in Saskatchewan is part of National Transportation Week in Canada. For more information, visit Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation web site at www.highways.gov.sk.ca

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For More Information, Contact:

Doug Wakabayashi Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation Regina Phone: (306)787-4805 Email: dwakabayashi