IMPROVING HIGHWAYS IN THE YORKTON AREA

Four highway improvement projects will be taking place this spring and summer in the Yorkton area.

"These projects are part of our commitment to building better highways," Highways and Transportation Minister Maynard Sonntag said. "We're working to rehabilitate some key transportation corridors in east central Saskatchewan to enhance safety, and support tourism and regional economic development."

On Highway 9, 8.1 km will be resurfaced south of Yorkton, from the Junction of Highway 22 to 8 km north. Morsky Construction Ltd. of Regina was awarded the contract. On-road construction is set for mid-May and should wrap up mid-June. This project is valued at $760,000.

On Highway 8, 15.5 km will be resurfaced near Kamsack, from north of the Junction of Highway 5 in Kamsack to just south of its Junction with the St. Phillips access road. Morsky Construction Ltd. of Regina was awarded the contract. Crushing and hauling of gravel in preparation for construction is set for June, and on-road construction should begin mid-July. This project is valued at $1.3 million. Construction should wrap up at the end of August.

On Highway 47 north of Buchanan, 19.3 km will be resurfaced in sections from Buchanan to 20 km north. This work will be done by department staff. Construction is estimated to begin mid-July and will likely be completed by the end of August. The project is valued at $600,000.

On Highway 22, 3 km of subgrade strengthening will take place from 2 km to 5 km west of Lemberg. The highway will be improved with subgrade strengthening technology developed by Pavement Scientific International (PSI) of Saskatoon. This work is part of a road strengthening research and development agreement that uses alternative solutions to upgrade and improve Saskatchewan roads. The procedure involves blending PSICem with the existing surface and subgrade material. This blended layer is then watered and compacted. Granular material is placed and compacted on the subgrade which is then sealed with a dust free surface. This work will take place between June and August and is valued at $400,000.

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 per hour when passing through the construction Orange Zone, and watch for construction workers, signs and heavy equipment.

For more information about highway 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