IMPROVING HIGHWAY 47 NEAR ESTEVAN

Construction is underway on 5.9 km of grading and paving from 5 km north of the U.S. border to 3 km south of Estevan.

Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation, in partnership with SaskPower and Luscar Coal, are delivering this $2.4 million project. Panteluk Construction Ltd. of Estevan is the contractor.

The public is advised that there will be an occasional disruption of traffic during the construction period. Thirty workers will be employed on this project, and construction is expected to be complete by the end of August.

"This agreement with our industry partners will serve to enhance regional economic development and safety," Highways and Transportation Minister Maynard Sonntag said. "The construction on Highway 47 will improve this north-south trade corridor to the benefit of industry, tourists and motorists alike while enabling access to existing coal reserves."

Other construction in the Estevan area includes:

• 18.2 km of resurfacing on Highway 39 from the U.S. border at North Portal to Roche Percee. ASL Paving Ltd. of Saskatoon is the contractor. On-road construction is set to begin July 15th and should wrap up at the end of August. This $2.5 million project will be cost-shared with the federal government through the Border Infrastructure fund (BIF), and will employ 25 workers.

• 12 km of resurfacing on Highway 18 from 6 km east to 6 km west of Carnduff. This construction project has not yet been tendered.

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

Remember to slow to 60 km/hr 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