The Government of Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan are proud to announce that four National Highway System infrastructure projects will be considered as priorities for funding under the original 2007 Building Canada Fund – Major Infrastructure Component.
The Government of Canada has set aside up to 50 per cent of total eligible costs for each project, to a maximum of $16,550,929.
- A 27-kilometre repaving of Highway 1, in the Swift Current area west of Beverley and east of Tompkins. This highway carries as many as 5,620 vehicles per day. The Trans-Canada Highway is one of the world's longest national highways and is vital to Saskatchewan's economy and tourism.
- A 21-kilometre repaving of Highway 1, east of Regina from Wolseley to west of Broadview. This stretch of highway carries up to 5,300 vehicles per day.
- A 26-kilometre repaving of Highway 16, east of Lloydminster from east of Lashburn to west of Maidstone. This stretch of highway carries 6,280 vehicles per day, including a significant amount of heavy truck traffic related to the region's oil and gas industry. Vehicle traffic in this area has increased significantly in recent years.
- A 28-kilometre, $9,206,050 repaving of Highway 39 from northwest of Estevan to northwest of Macoun, including $4,411,129 from the federal government. Highway 39 connects to Saskatchewan's busiest border crossing, and the area set for repaving carries approximately 3,880 vehicles per day. Highway 39 is a north-south trade route and tourist corridor to the U.S. through North Portal.
Federal funding for the four projects is conditional on the negotiation of a contribution agreement between the Province of Saskatchewan and the Government of Canada.
Funding for the projects announced today is made possible because the Province of Saskatchewan identified cost savings on two Building Canada Fund – Major Infrastructure Component projects that were completed under budget: the Highway 1 and Lewvan Drive Interchange project, and the Highway 11 twinning project (south of Hague to north of Macdowall). The savings have been re-allocated to these four projects identified by the Government of Saskatchewan as being high priority projects located along the core National Highway System.
The projects will result in the rehabilitation of more than 100 kilometres of the province's Core National Highway System, resulting in travel time savings and reduced vehicle operating costs. In addition, the Highway 39 Northwest of Estevan project will improve four highway intersections thereby making it safer for travellers.
