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Years of road construction west of Saskatoon is wrapping up as crews complete the final touches on Highway 7 twinning.
The final 12-kilometre stretch of roadway near Vanscoy was officially opened to traffic during a ribbon cutting ceremony Monday afternoon.
Construction on twinning the 31-kilometre stretch between Saskatoon and Delisle began over four years ago.
R.M. of Vanscoy Police Department Chief Murray McCracken was pleased to see the busy stretch of highway expand from two lanes to four lanes.
“I’ve been working in this area for the past 15 years, and I’ve been to some horrific collisions, and even fatalities on this highway,” he said. “We have the four lanes now, and we’re avoiding some of the higher traffic areas and collisions that occurred in the past.”
Highway 7 is a popular commuter road for the many potash workers at the nearby Nutrien Vanscoy Potash Mine who were recently laid off.
The highway is also the most travelled road that connects Kindersley, Rosetown, Delisle and Saskatoon. With a large number of people moving through the area, McCracken said twinning greatly improves safety for drivers.
“Highway 7 is a busy corridor for commuters and shippers who transport goods to national and international markets,” said Health Minister Jim Reiter, who was filling in for Highways and Infrastructure Minister Greg Ottenbreit at Monday’s announcement.
“This twinning project, and the new passing lanes between Delisle and Kindersley, provides more opportunities to pass safely which helps traffic flow efficiently.”
The twinning project cost $66-million with Ottawa providing $27.5 million of funding.
Roughly 13 kilometres of newly constructed lane east of Delisle to Vanscoy opened to traffic in July 2018. Another nine kilometres of twinned highway opened to traffic between Saskatoon and Vanscoy in October 2016.
“Our community is excited about the completion of the highway project,” Vanscoy Mayor Robin Odnokon said. “It will provide safety for our local commuters and all residents who travel the highway. We are very pleased to see this twinning project complete.”
While the new lanes opened on Monday, 60 kilometre speed limits will remain in effect around Vanscoy for the remainder of the week.
— With files from 650 CKOM’s Brent Bosker