IMPROVING HIGHWAY 3 NEAR FAIRHOLME

Construction is once again underway on 15.8 km of grading and paving near Fairholme.

The improvement project on Highway 3 began in 2003 and is continuing this construction season. Approximately 5 km of grading and 8 km of surfacing remains to be completed this year. Warner Construction Co. Ltd. of Regina is the contractor. This $2.9 million project will be cost-shared with the federal government through the Prairie Grain Roads Program (PGRP), a federal-provincial partnership designed to improve Saskatchewan's secondary highways impacted by increased grain haul.

The public is advised that there will be an occasional disruption of traffic during the construction period. Eighty-one full-time workers will be employed on this project, and road construction is expected to be complete by July 1st, 2004.

"This grading and paving project is part of our commitment to building better highways," Highways and Transportation Minister Maynard Sonntag said. "The improvements to Highway 3 will enhance an important transportation route in northwest Saskatchewan and support regional economic development."

Over the past three years, the province has invested $900 million in Saskatchewan's transportation network, improving 1,000 km of paved highways, upgrading 750 km of rural highways, and twinning 172 km on Highways 1 and 16.

This year's budget provides an additional $294.8 million to improve another 740 km of major highways and 30 bridges, and twin 53 km on Highways 1 and 16 this construction season.

Remember to slow to 60 km/h when passing through the construction Orange Zone, and watch for construction workers, signs and heavy equipment. For more information about construction in your area, view the provincial project map at: www.highways.gov.sk.ca.

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For More Information, Contact:

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