TWINNING TO IMPROVE SAFETY, EFFICIENCY ON PROVINCIAL HIGHWAYS

The province is investing nearly $57 million on twinning construction this year, which is now underway on Highway 11 between Saskatoon and Prince Albert, Highway 1 East and Highway 16 West.

"The safety of the traveling public is the primary reason these twinning projects are taking place," Highways and Transportation Minister Eldon Lautermilch said. "In addition, twinning will improve the province's busiest highways to support tourism and economic development, and move our export goods to market efficiently across inter-provincial borders."

On Highway 11, work is now underway on 9 km of grading on new lanes from north of Warman to north of Osler in preparation for future surfacing. Work on the next 9 km of new lanes from Rheinland toward Hague will begin in September. These projects are valued at approximately $7.5 million.

In addition, survey crews are currently undertaking field work from south of Hague to Rosthern, and doing preliminary planning from Prince Albert south, for future twinning on Highway 11.

Twinning on Highways 1 and 16 will include 63 km of new lanes opened to traffic this year and an additional 70 km of grading work in preparation for surfacing next year. This work is valued at approximately $49.4 million.

"The substantial funding dedicated to these projects demonstrates once again that transportation infrastructure is a priority for the Government of Saskatchewan," Lautermilch said.

On Highway 1 East, surfacing new lanes will take place from 3.4 km west of Whitewood to 3.7 km east of Wapella. This includes sections where both lanes will be newly constructed, for a total of 40 lane kilometres. The new lanes are now under construction and will be opened, weather permitting, in fall 2006.

Grading new lanes in preparation for surfacing next year will take place east and west of Wapella and west of the Manitoba border. This work is also underway.

Work on Highway 16 is now underway, and includes grading and surfacing on the westbound lanes from 10 km west of the Paynton access to 7.1 km east of Maidstone; and on the both the westbound and eastbound lanes from 7.1 km east of Maidstone to 3.8 km west of Maidstone, commonly known as the Maidstone bypass, for a total of 29.6 lane kilometres. The new lanes are anticipated to be complete and open to traffic in the fall of 2006, weather permitting.

Grading new lanes in preparation for surfacing next year will take place from 10 km west of the Paynton Access to 5 km east of Delmas. This work is scheduled to begin in late summer.

Motorists are reminded to slow to 60 km per hour when passing highway workers and equipment in the construction Orange Zone, for everyone's safety. It is the law in Saskatchewan to slow to 60 km per hour when passing highway workers or emergency services personnel. Drivers caught speeding will face severe fines.

-30-

For More Information, Contact:

Kirsten Leatherdale Highways and Transportation Regina Phone: (306) 787-8484 Cell: (306) 536-9692