The first milestone of a multi-phase plan to improve safety on Highway 5 between Humboldt and Saskatoon is now open to traffic.
Two new sets of passing lanes are now open to traffic on Highway 5 from Humboldt to the junction of Highway 2.
Final paving on one of the new passing lanes will be completed in 2018, but will be fully operational in the meantime. The total cost of the two sets is $7.5 million.
“The growth of Saskatoon, Humboldt and the communities in between, combined with the strength of the Saskatchewan economy, mean more traffic on Highway 5,” Highways and Infrastructure Minister David Marit said. “Municipal governments, businesses, the public and other stakeholders have been calling for safety improvements for many years and our government is responding.”
The Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure is also undertaking planning for additional safety improvements on Highway 5 between Highway 2 and Saskatoon.
In recent years, passing lanes have also been installed on Highway 10 between Balgonie and Fort Qu’Appelle as well as on Highway 7 near Rosetown. The response to the installation of passing lanes from first responders, municipalities and drivers has been overwhelmingly positive.
The Highway 5 passing lane project is part of 900 km of highway improvements taking place across the province in 2017.
About $7.4 billion has been invested in Saskatchewan’s highways and infrastructure since 2008.