SPRING RUNOFF, FLOODING MAY IMPACT HIGHWAYS

Saskatchewan motorists should be advised that potential flooding and above average moisture levels in much of the province may adversely impact area highways this spring.

Forecasting by the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority indicates much of the province will experience above-average runoff, with significant potential for flooding.  Above normal and well above normal moisture conditions are predicted across the province from as far south as Indian Head to as far north as the Wollaston Lake area.

Highway impacts as a result of these conditions include: potholes, surface breaks, flooded highways and culvert and bridge washouts.  Highway conditions may be further impacted by a relatively mild winter with more freeze-thaw cycles than normal.

“In order to prepare for what we know will be a rough spring season, we’ve increased our maintenance and preservation budget to $170 million, an increase of $44 million over the start of the last fiscal year,” Highways and Transportation Minister Eldon Lautermilch said.  “We have materials, crews and equipment at the ready, but it will also take time – time for the roadbeds to dry out, and time for our maintenance crews to get to all areas of the province in order to make long term repairs.”

To deal with potential impacts to the highway system, the department has a five point strategy in place that includes:

• Using data from the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority to predict and identify at-risk areas;
• An aggressive surveillance program that enables crews to quickly provide warning to motorists and provide short term repairs, including using the Highway Hotline as a centralized point of contact for the general public and municipalities to report trouble spots;
• Prioritizing clearing culverts, bridges and other drainage structures so that they can handle runoff at their design capacity;
• Investing an addition $5 million in crushing to have materials strategically placed for spring maintenance repair.  Equipment is also ready to go; and
• Calling back seasonal staff early where necessary.  The department also has contingency plans to redeploy staff from relatively drier areas of the province to trouble spots.

Thin Membrane Surface highways are particularly sensitive to surface breaks in the spring, especially when impacted by heavy commercial loads.  However, large amounts of spring moisture can impact paved class highways as well.

Visit www.highways.gov.sk.ca to view a map of potentially affected highways, for more information on spring maintenance, to contact area offices about specific highways or for updates on specific highways via the Highway Hotline.

Remember to slow to 60 km/hr when passing highway workers and equipment in the Orange Zone.

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For more information, contact:

Kirsten Leatherdale
Highways and Transportation
Regina
Phone: 306-787-8484
Email: kleatherdale@highways.gov.sk.ca