Most highway work between Saskatoon and Humboldt expected to wrap up this year

A major highway project between Humboldt and Saskatoon is edging closer to completion.

Construction on the multi-year project on Highway 5 near St. Denis is expected to be completed this fall.

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Dan Palmer with the Ministry of Highways said the St. Denis portion of the project reached the mid-way point in August of 2024.

Grading work will be done in the coming weeks in that 15 km segment, and weather permitting, the re-alignment of the St. Denis access will begin soon.

“This portion of the project, paving is expected to begin around Aug. 19, and be completed by the end of September,” said Palmer. “If all is well and good, this portion of the Highway 5 project will be completed this year.”

Construction on the stretch of highway in the St. Denis area started in June of 2023 and included shoulder widening, resurfacing, and passing lanes, along with the re-alignment of two roads that connect to Highway 5, Range Road 314 and the St. Denis access.

“This portion of work is part of a multi-year effort to improve Highway 5 between Humboldt and Saskatoon,” Palmer explained. “There’s been some work going on between Humboldt and Saskatoon since 2018.”

Palmer said there has been work that has been completed prior to the construction at St. Denis.

That includes the construction of two sets of passing lanes completed in 2018 between Humboldt and Highway 2, resurfacing, shoulder widening, and sightline improvements in 2021 between the junctions of 316 and 671, and a 15 km section of Highway 5 immediately west of Highway 2, including a set of passing lanes that were finished two years ago.

There is still work to be done closer to Saskatoon, with twinning and resurfacing on a 10 km stretch of Highway 5 between Saskatoon and near the Highway 316 junction. The Ministry of Highways said that project has been tendered but not yet rewarded.

“Once (the entire Highway 5 project) is done, it will be an improvement for motorists, and the big thing is we certainly appreciate the patience and understanding as this work occurs to improve that segment of highway,” Palmer stated.

“Ultimately, that short-term inconvenience is for long-term benefit for everyone.”

Palmer said the highway has many hills and curves between Saskatoon and Humboldt, and the project aimed at flattening some of those hills and straightening the curves.

The added passing lanes are also designed to make the highway more efficient and safer for motorists.

In work areas, drivers can expect delays. They may include being down to one lane of traffic and stoppages from time-to-time, and local detours.

Motorists are reminded to obey all signage and slow to 60 km/h in all work zones. Palmer suggested checking the Highway Hotline for updates on both the project and road and weather conditions that could affect travel this August long weekend.

– by Cam Lee

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