IMPROVEMENTS COMING TO EIGHTH AVENUE THROUGH HUMBOLDT

Construction will soon be underway on a $1.8 million project to improve Eighth Avenue (the Highway 5 connector) through Humboldt.

This project will be funded in partnership between the City of Humboldt and Province of Saskatchewan through the Urban Highway Connector Program and the Government of Canada through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund (ISF). The federal government will fund a third of the total cost of the project with the provincial government providing 75 per cent of the remainder and the City of Humboldt providing 25 per cent of the remainder.

"The Highway 5 connector through Humboldt has become increasingly busy over the years as a corridor used by agriculture, manufacturing and mining industries, as well as providing access to a new regional hospital and growing home and commercial developments within the city," Humboldt MLA and Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer said. "Under the Urban Highway Connector Program, the Province is working with municipalities to create safer and more efficient urban transportation corridors for regional and provincial traffic while, at the same time, providing support for the growth of our communities."

"We're excited about the new growth and development happening in Humboldt and surrounding area as we see new homes and businesses being constructed and our labour force increasing as more people move to our great city," Mayor Malcolm Eaton said. "The work that will take place on Eighth Avenue will help to accommodate that new growth by moving increased traffic safely and efficiently, especially on the west end of the city."

Improvements to Eighth Avenue include:

• Construction of new turning lanes at Eighth Avenue and Boundary Road
• Construction of new turning lanes at Eighth Avenue and Ninth Avenue (with the construction of an additional access across Ninth Avenue to the south)
• Widening of the westbound lane between these two intersections
• Installation of traffic signals at Eighth Avenue and Boundary Road

This contract has been awarded to HJR Asphalt and construction will begin the week of July 20, 2009 (weather permitting). The work is scheduled to be completed this summer/fall.

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For more information, contact:

Dan Palmer
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4805
Cell: 306-536-9692

Kerri Martin
City of Humboldt
Humboldt
Phone: 306-682-3444