$300 Million Highways Stimulus Package Released

Released on May 13, 2020

The Government of Saskatchewan is releasing $300 million in new highways projects to boost the Saskatchewan economy while improving safety and capacity.  These projects are part of the Government of Saskatchewan’s $7.5 billion two-year capital to plan to build a strong Saskatchewan and stimulate Saskatchewan’s economic recovery.

“Infrastructure investments are important for growth, quality of life, and safe transportation,” Highways and Infrastructure Minister Greg Ottenbreit said.  “This stimulus package will provide an economic boost creating jobs and building priority infrastructure projects which will serve the citizens of the province for decades to come.”

The $300 million in highways stimulus funds will be invested over the next two years as we work to quickly re-start the Saskatchewan economy.  These projects will include thin-membrane surface upgrades, passing lanes and improvements to municipal roads and airports.

Highlights include:

• Upgrades to 325 km of thin-membrane surface highways;
• 24 to 26 new sets of highway passing lanes;
• Rehabilitation of at least 100 RM roads when combined with our existing municipal roads program; and
• Improvements to community airports.

“Provincial road builders generate more than $5 billion in provincial GDP out of an economy of $73 billion or roughly seven per cent of the total provincial economy,” Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association President Shantel Lipp said.  “We employ close to 30,000 workers, making our industry one of the largest employers in the province.  We welcome any move toward maintaining and eventually growing these job numbers to get our economy on track.”

These stimulus investments are on top of $358 million in capital projects already committed in this year’s Estimates including:

• Nine sets of passing lanes and resurfacing and widening on Highways 6 and 39 between Regina and the Canada-US Border;
• Four sets of passing lanes and resurfacing on Highway 7 between Delisle and Kindersley, plus planning for three additional sets of passing lanes between Kindersley and the Saskatchewan-Alberta border;
• Two sets of passing lanes, resurfacing, and widening of Highway 5 plus planning for a short section of twinning between Saskatoon and the junction of Highway 2;
• Three sets of passing lanes on Highway 10 between Melville and Yorkton; and
• Three sets of passing lanes on Highway 9 between Yorkton and Canora.

This year’s fiscal plan also includes improvements to more than 1,000 km of provincial highways this year, which is the first year of the 10-year Growth Plan to build and upgrade 10,000 km of highways.

The Government of Saskatchewan has invested more than $9.8 billion in highways infrastructure since 2008, improving more than 15,500 km of Saskatchewan highways.

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For more information, contact:

Steve Shaheen
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-933-5641
Email: steve.shaheen@gov.sk.ca