IMPROVING HIGHWAY 13 NEAR PONTEIX

Construction is now underway on 10.6 km of grading and paving on Highway 13 near Ponteix.

The improvement project on Highway 13 is taking place from 5.4 km east of the Ponteix Access to 5.2 km west of the Ponteix Access. C.D. Botkin Construction Ltd. of Regina was awarded the contract. This $3 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. Twenty-six full-time workers will be employed on this project, and road construction is expected to be complete by mid-September.

"This grading and paving project is part of our commitment to building better highways," Highways and Transportation Minister Maynard Sonntag said. "Highway 13 has experienced an increase in truck traffic, leading to rutting and rough sections. This project will improve Highway 13, enhancing safety and supporting regional economic development."

Highway 13, also known as the Red Coat Trail, has seen a significant amount of upgrading in recent years. The transformation of this highway between the Manitoba Border and Cadillac, from a thin membrane surface (TMS) to a paved standard, is nearing completion. In the 2004 construction season, 39 km will be improved; in 2003 almost 70 km was upgraded or resurfaced; and in the 2002 construction season 70 km of Highway 13 was upgraded or resurfaced.

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, improve 30 bridges, and twin 53 km on Highways 1 and 16 this construction season.

Remember to slow to 60 km per hour 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 Email: kleatherdale@highways.gov.sk.ca