No. H161/05
For release - July 6, 2005
NORTH BATTLEFORD — The Government of Canada and the Province of Saskatchewan today announced that a 13.6 kilometre section of twinned lanes on Highway 16, west of North Battleford, has been opened.
The approximately $7.7 million project was cost-shared through the Canada-Saskatchewan Strategic Infrastructure Fund on a 50-50 basis.
"Highway 16 in Saskatchewan is a key link in our National Highway System," said Minister of Finance Ralph Goodale, on behalf of Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre. "It is imperative to continue to build an efficient highway network to ensure businesses can get their goods to market in a cost-effective and timely manner."
"This project demonstrates the Government of Canada's commitment to working with its provincial partners to increase the safety and efficiency of the country's highway infrastructure," said Mr. Lapierre. "Twinning this section will help improve the flow of traffic along Highway 16, which carries commercial traffic between Saskatchewan and Alberta. It will also benefit residents in the area and travellers alike."
Through the $2-billion Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund, the Government of Canada continues to collaborate with provincial/territorial and municipal governments, as well as with the private sector, to invest in strategic infrastructure projects across the country. Investments made through the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund are directed to large-scale projects of major national and regional significance in areas that are vital to sustaining economic growth and supporting an enhanced quality of life for Canadians.
"This project is part of our commitment to improve Saskatchewan's transportation network. Our progress towards the completion of twinning Highway 16 from North Battleford to Lloydminster is increasing safety along this primary route and enabling regional economic development," said Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation Minister Maynard Sonntag. "Transportation is an issue of vital strategic interest at both the provincial and national levels, and this infrastructure project is an excellent example of what can be accomplished through partnership between the Province of Saskatchewan and the Government of Canada."
Also under the Canada-Saskatchewan Strategic Infrastructure Fund, an additional project on Highway 16 is underway. A new alignment for the twinning of Highway 16 along a route north of Maidstone is being constructed. The grading work for this project, estimated at $3.3 million, is expected to be completed by September 1, 2005.
Surfacing is continuing on previously completed sections of Highway 16 and is targeted for completion by October 1, 2005.
More information on the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund can be found at http://www.infc.gc.ca/ip-pi/csif-fcis/csif-fcis-eng.html
For more information about road construction projects and other Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation activities, visit www.highways.gov.sk.ca.
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Contacts:
Jamie ShanksCommunicationsSaskatchewan Highways andTransportation, Saskatoon(306) 787-4805
Irène MarcheterreDirector of CommunicationsOffice of the Minister of Transport, Ottawa(613) 991-0700
Kirsten GoodnoughCommunicationsTransport Canada, Ottawa(613) 993-0055
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at www.tc.gc.ca/e-news and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada.
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