Murray Wood: Who's hot... and who's not
Every Friday, Murray Wood takes a look at the week's news and decides who's hot... and who's not. This week's list inclu...
Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Highways is gearing up for construction season, and the ministry is asking drivers to keep an eye out for construction zones around the province.
According to the ministry, major projects slated for this construction season include the continuing of passing lanes and widening on Highway 5 between Saskatoon and Highway 2, starting new twinning projects on highways 6 and 39 between Regina and Weyburn, and starting upgrades on Highway 15 east of Kenaston between highways 11 and 2.
Improvements this year on Saskatchewan’s highways include 230 kilometres of repaving, 300 kilometres of medium treatments such as microsurfacing, 340 kilometres of pavement sealing, 115 kilometres of Thin Membrane Surface and rural highway upgrades, and 35 kilometres of gravel rehabilitation.
A lot of bridge repairs are also expected in the coming months, with $62.8 million set aside to repair or rebuild 14 spans and replace more than 100 culverts around Saskatchewan. Those projects include replacing the Montreal River Bridge on Highway 2 and rehabilitating the Highway 6 bridge over Ring Road in Regina.
Shantel Lipp, head of the Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association, asked for patience from motorists to help keep all the workers and drivers safe.
“Provincial road builders employ close to 30,000 workers, making our industry one of the largest employers in the province and they are working to build Saskatchewan,” Lipp said in a statement.
“We want to remind drivers to be patient and drive with caution while our builders go to work on the roads this season. This will help ensure their safety as well as yours.”
Anyone planning highway travel was advised to check the provincial government’s website for the weekly highway construction update, and keep an eye on the Highway Hotline for up-to-date information on construction and other closures.
Since 2008, the provincial government has spent more than $12 billion improving more than 19,400 kilometres of highways, the ministry added.
