WEIGHT SURVEY TO GATHER DATA FOR BETTER HIGHWAYS

Truck drivers in Saskatchewan are being asked to help provide information on the trucks that travel the province's highways this summer.

The Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure will be conducting weight surveys in July and August to gather information on truck movements and weights.

"We've seen a dramatic increase in commercial truck traffic on our highway network, so it's more important than ever to ensure we have the proper infrastructure to handle these heavy loads in the right locations," Highways and Infrastructure Minister Wayne Elhard said. "This information will help assist with highway planning and design to best handle our industry-driven traffic."

One-day surveys will be conducted during July and August across the province. During a 12-hour period all trucks passing the survey site, including farm trucks, will be weighed.

In addition, other information such as commodity, point of origin, destination, and truck type will be recorded. The weight survey will be conducted at 17 sites across the province. To encourage cooperation with the survey, participation will be anonymous.

The following areas will be surveyed:

Week of July 2 - Highway 11 north of Regina

Week of July 7 - Highway 35 south of Nipawin
- Highway 55 near Meath Park
- Highway 2 near Waskesiu
- Highway 3 west of Prince Albert

Week of July 14 - Highway 1 east of Moosomin
- Highway 16 near Bredenbury
- Highway 15 west of Melville
- Highway 10 south of Yorkton
- Highway 6 near Melfort

Week of July 21- Highway 3 near Hudson Bay
- Highway 9 east of Sturgis
- Highway 5 west of Wadena
- Highway 35 north of Bankend

Week of July 28 - Highway 21 near Kerrobert
- Highway 4 north of Cadillac
- Highway 1 near Beverley

"The heavy truck traffic moving throughout our province is a good indication that our export-driven economy is on a roll," Elhard said. "This weight survey is one tool in helping us determine where our transportation dollars are best spent to serve the needs of our growing and diverse economy."

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For more information, contact:

Kirsten Leatherdale
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4804
Email: kleatherdale@highways.gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-536-9692