The Government of Saskatchewan announced further spending in their $2 billion stimulus program on Thursday, Feb. 11 included some projects around Prince Albert for the next construction season.
In a release they said that the investment aims to use targeted government investment to help drive economic recovery from the global pandemic.
In May 2020 the Ministry of Highways announced it would inject $300 million over two years to stimulate recovery.
Some specific types of construction were targeted including upgrades to thin-membrane surface (TMS) highways and passing lane projects.
Passing lane projects are included on Highway 2 north of Prince Albert to Highway 263 and Highway 3 from Prince Albert to Shellbrook.
“Our government is stepping up to support the Saskatchewan economy as we make our way through this pandemic,” Highways Minister Fred Bradshaw said in the release.
“With the lowest unemployment rate in Canada we know our plan is working, and we’re just getting started.”
Sixteen highway construction projects worth more than $130 million have recently been awarded and should be completed this fall.
TMS upgrades are scheduled on Highway 43 from Gravelbourg to Highway 19, Highway 56 near Katepwa Lake, Highway 229 to Good Spirit Lake Provincial Park and Highway 322 from Glen Harbour to Rowan’s Ravine Provincial Park.
Other passing lane projects include Highway 12 from Martensville to Highway 312; Highway 14 from Saskatoon to Asquith and Highway 16 from Clavet to Viscount and from Springside to Saltcoats.
Another eight construction projects are in the tendering process. At least four more will be tendered later this year.
The government says that they are meeting its target of improving more than 1,000 km of provincial highways this year, the first of its 10-year Growth Plan goal to build and upgrade 10,000 km of highways.
