UP TO $2 MILLION FOR FLOOD-DAMAGED ROAD REPAIRS

The province is prepared to spend up to $2 million to fix flood-damaged roads

and bridges in the Vanguard area following severe July flooding.



Highways and Transportation Minister Maynard Sonntag made the announcement in

Vanguard today, following a road tour. Repairs are nearing completion on some

of the affected highways.



"The floods cut a swath through areas in the southwest," Sonntag said. "We are

prepared to spend up to $2 million for highway repair work. Our assessments

are showing damages on some highways may not be as severe as originally

anticipated."



Highway 43 east and west of Vanguard, Highway 363 west of Hodgeville, Highway 4

and 13 in all directions around Cadillac, and Highway 4 north of Val Marie

received the most damage.



Flooding caused some sections of highways to experience major washouts, while

other sections received only minor erosion. While no bridges were lost in the

flooding, minor repairs are required on a number of culverts and bridges.



In total, 17 km of highways and 12 bridges will receive repairs.



To date, approximately $385,000 in repair work has been completed, primarily to

fix severe washouts on Highway 363, and right-of-way and shoulder erosion on

Highway 43.



"Other work will be priorized and completed as quickly as possible to ensure

safe driving for motorists before winter freeze-up. Unfinished work will

resume next spring and summer," Sonntag said.



Meanwhile, the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program (PDAP), administered by

Saskatchewan Municipal Affairs, Culture and Housing, has so far received 112

applications for financial assistance from municipalities and residents of the

Vanguard area. PDAP has provided more than $104,000 in assistance so far.



The financial assistance from PDAP has enabled municipalities and residents in

the Vanguard area to repair, replace and restore roads, bridges, primary

residences and other uninsurable property to pre-disaster conditions.



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For more information, contact:



Terry Blomme

Executive Director, Southern Region

Highways and Transportation

Phone: 306-787-4973

Cell: 306-536-6285