Canada and Saskatchewan Support Highway Improvements to Bring Safer, More Efficient Transportation to Saskatchewan Residents and Businesses

REGINA, Saskatchewan, Aug. 16 -- Infrastructure Canada issued the following news release:

Investing in modern transportation infrastructure is critical to connecting communities, safely and efficiently moving commercial goods to market and people to their destinations, and building a strong economic future for all Canadians.

Today, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, on behalf of the Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Greg Ottenbreit, Saskatchewan Minister of Highways and Infrastructure, announced more than $75.4 million in joint funding to improve the provincial and national highway systems.

The projects involve building four sets of passing lanes on Highway 4 and repaving approximately 220 kilometres of Highways 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 14, 20, 21, 55 and 102.

Once complete, these vital 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.

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 $42.7 million.

Quotes

"Transportation and distribution of goods are a vital part of our local, regional and national economies. 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."

The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness on behalf of the Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"Our government has demonstrated a commitment for investments into highways, bridges and culverts to keep our province growing. At the same time, it's critical that we keep the infrastructure we already have in good condition," Highways and Infrastructure Minister Greg Ottenbreit said. "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."

The Honourable Greg Ottenbreit, Saskatchewan's Minister of Highways and Infrastructure

Quick facts

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.

$26.9 billion of this funding is supporting green infrastructure projects, including $5 billion available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.