The federal and provincial governments are investing $75 million in highway enhancement projects throughout Saskatchewan, including investments to help rehabilitate Highway 1 in and around Moose Jaw.
Both levels of government are providing $22.8 million to upgrade about 43 kilometres of Highway 1 and 37 kilometres of Highway 7, which encompasses Moose Jaw and the towns of Grenfell and Delisle. The federal government is contributing $7.83 million and the provincial government is contributing $15.4 million to this project.
Total federal contributions to all highway improvement projects in Saskatchewan are $32.7 million; the provincial government is contributing $42.7 million.
These investment contributions to well-planned infrastructure projects will make it easier to move people and products across the country, while supporting sustained economic growth and productivity for years to come, explained a joint federal-provincial news release. Investing in modern transportation infrastructure is critical to connecting communities, moving commercial goods to market and people safely and efficiently to their destinations, and building a strong economic future for all Canadians.
Ralph Goodale, minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, and Greg Ottenbreit, Saskatchewan minister of Highways and Infrastructure, announced the joint funding to improve the provincial and national highway systems.
The projects involve building four sets of passing lanes on Highway 4 and repaving about 220 kilometres of highways 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 14, 20, 21, 55 and 102.
Once complete, these improvements will not only increase the safety and efficiency of Saskatchewan’s highways, but also help facilitate trade and support economic growth for years to come, said the news release.
The Government of Canada is contributing $32.7 million to these projects through the New Building Canada Fund, Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component — National and Regional Projects while the province of Saskatchewan is providing $42.6 million.
“Transportation and distribution of goods are a vital part of our local, regional and national economies,” said Goodale. “These highway improvements in Saskatchewan will keep motorists safe, shorten travel times and improve access of our products to world markets, bolstering economic growth and the prosperity of the middle class and all those working hard to join it.”
“Our government has demonstrated a commitment for investments into highways, bridges and culverts to keep our province growing,” said Ottenbreit. “At the same time, it’s critical that we keep the infrastructure we already have in good condition. Investing in Saskatchewan highways is important to all of us so that we can get people and products moving in a safe and timely manner.”
According to the news release, through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.
Of this funding, $26.9 billion is supporting green infrastructure projects, including $5 billion available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
More information about Canada’s long-term infrastructure plan can be found at www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.html.
