SARM, highways ministry to spend $46 million on rural road infrastructure

The Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways and the Saskatchewan Associations of Rural Municipalities (SARM) plan to spend $46 million on bridge, road and culvert projects in rural parts of the province.

The Rural Integrated Roads for Growth program will contribute up to 50 per cent of the costs of the rural road infrastructure projects, up to a maximum of $500,000 for a road and $1 million for a bridge or large culvert. The highways ministry is chipping in $16.9 million, while the remainder of $29.1 million, will be funded by SARM, which also administers the program.

Read more:

• Southwest Sask. communities collaborate to improve ambulance access
• Saskatchewan library union urges supports following attacks against workers
• Gas prices in Sask. could reach $1.50/L as conflict continues in Middle East: Analyst

So far, 41 projects have been approved under the program.

“Saskatchewan’s rural road network is the starting point for many agricultural products and other goods on their way to destinations throughout the province, across the country and around the world,” Kim Gartner, Saskatchewan’s highways minister, said in a statement.

“This infrastructure program enhances the connectivity of Saskatchewan rural roads to the rest of the transportation network, which supports our export-based economy.”

SARM president Bill Huber said the association is pleased by the extra funding support.

“Rural Saskatchewan faces substantial transportation infrastructure needs, as many of the goods and resources driving our provincial economy originate in rural municipalities,” Huber said in a statement.

“Investing in RM roads, bridges, and culverts delivers strong economic benefits across Saskatchewan, and SARM looks forward to continuing our partnership with the Ministry of Highways to deliver the Rural Integrated Roads for Growth Program in the years ahead.”

Here is the full list of planned projects.