Major highway safety improvement projects are underway on Highway 5 and Highway 39 which may cause travel delays.

“The Government of Saskatchewan is starting work on a number of passing lane projects which will improve traffic flow while providing more opportunities to pass safely,” Highways and Infrastructure Minister Greg Ottenbreit said.  “We ask drivers to be patient in work zones or consider alternate routes during road construction season.”

Major delays are expected on Highway 39 between North Portal and Rouleau as multiple construction crews will be working on more than 200 kilometres (km) of highway throughout the summer months.  Drivers are advised to consider alternate routes, such as Highway 33, Highway 35 or Highway 47.

Construction is underway on a total of $93 million worth of work on Highway 39.  Work between Hitchcock and Weyburn includes five sets of passing lanes, about 35 km of paving, culvert replacements, a new Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) and various safety improvements.  Construction is also underway on Highway 39 between McTaggart to Milestone, which includes four sets of passing lanes and about 25 km of paving and crews have also begun work on 32 km of Highway 39 from Corinne to Rouleau.

Work is underway on the $18.8 million first phase of a multi-year project on Highway 5, which includes about 10 km of widening and sight-line improvements through the hills and valleys east of the old Highway 27 to Blucher Road.

Crews will be making their best efforts to accommodate traffic during the construction period.  There are no viable detour options around the work zones, so drivers can expect delay times approaching 30 minutes.  It is best to use an alternate route such as Highways 41, 27 or Highway 16 and 2.  These routes are currently signed as an alternate route.  Drivers are reminded to be patient, expect long delays, watch for workers and obey signs when driving through the work zone.

A weekly construction update on www.saskatchewan.ca provides Saskatchewan residents with the latest details on projects underway to help plan safe and efficient travel throughout the summer and fall.  Additional travel information about emergency road closures, the status of ferries, barges and other road activities can also be found on the Highway Hotline at www.saskatchewan.ca/Highwayhotline.  Information and concerns about a provincial highway can be made by calling 1-844-SK-HIWAY.

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.  Another $300 million in highways stimulus funds will be invested over the next two years to stimulate Saskatchewan’s economic recovery.