A $66 million twinning project is nearing completion on Highway 7. The third and final phase of newly twinned highway around Vanscoy will be opening to traffic within the next week, weather permitting. The 12 kilometres (km) of new lanes around Vanscoy will complete 31 kms of Highway 7 twinning between Saskatoon and Delisle.
The Government of Canada has provided funding of $27.5 million toward the twinning project.
Highway 7 is a key trade route for the province and connects communities such as Kindersley, Rosetown, Delisle and Saskatoon, as well as Calgary and ports on the west coast. Over the last 10 years, traffic volumes along the entire highway have increased by about 20 per cent, from nearly 3,000 vehicles per day to more than 3,500 per day today.
About 13 km of newly constructed lane east of Delisle to Vanscoy opened to traffic in July 2018. In October 2016, nine km of twinned highway opened to traffic between Saskatoon and Vanscoy.
When the new lanes are opened, be cautious, alert and aware of signs directing traffic. Some additional work including signing, pavement marking and landscaping will still be required. Please slow to 60 km/hr through the work zone and pay close attention to the people and machinery working in the area.
The Government of Saskatchewan has invested $9 billion in transportation infrastructure since 2008.