SASKATOON'S 25TH STREET REOPENS TO TRAFFIC

Motorists, cyclists and pedestrians in Saskatoon can enjoy improved and safer traffic flow with the re-opening of 25th Street today. This major arterial route accommodates approximately 20,000 motorists daily.

Work on Phase One of the 25th Street Rehabilitation Project is now complete. Construction between Spadina Crescent and Second Avenue included:

· widening the roadway on both sides to better accommodate bicycles in outer lanes;

· creating turn bays where left turns are permitted;

· constructing new sidewalks separated from the curb by an amenity strip; and

· placing new trees, paving stones, benches, garbage receptacles and bus shelters where required.

The federal, provincial and municipal governments invested more than $4.2 million through the Canada-Saskatchewan Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) in these improvements. The governments of Canada and Saskatchewan each contributed $1,063,282, while the City of Saskatoon provided the remaining $2,126,567.

"The Government of Canada is ensuring long-term stable funding so that municipalities like Saskatoon can move forward with their priority infrastructure projects," federal Finance Minister Ralph Goodale said, on behalf of Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport). "The people of Saskatoon will be pleased with the improved traffic flow, pedestrian safety and community appearance resulting from this upgrade, which will improve the quality of life for all."

"Citizens of Saskatchewan expect their governments to work together to plan, finance and deliver on their infrastructure priorities, and the 25th Street upgrade is a concrete example of governments coming together on behalf of their common constituents," Government Relations Minister Len Taylor said. "Saskatchewan's $1.063 million MRIF investment in this upgrade is part of the province's commitment to fund municipal and regional infrastructure to sustain and grow healthy communities."

"Saskatoon is growing. Maintaining and upgrading our roadways is important for better traffic flow and safety for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians," Mayor Donald Atchison said. "The improvements on 25th Street show the hard work and commitment that the City has taken to enhance our community."

Phase Two of the 25th Street Rehabilitation Project, tentatively scheduled for 2006 and subject to final approval by Saskatoon City Council, involves building, demolishing and reconstructing the City Yards. The completion of Phase Two will make room for the extension of 25th Street from 2nd Avenue to Idylwyld Drive, tentatively scheduled for 2007 or 2008 during Phase Three of the project.

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For More Information, Contact:

Joanne Mysak Western Economic Diversification Canada Saskatoon Phone: (306) 975-5942	Don Drysdale Project Engineer, City of Saskatoon Saskatoon Phone: (306) 975-2744
Maureen Boyle Saskatchewan Government Relations Regina Phone: (306) 787-5959