Drivers in Saskatchewan will be slowing down more often for road construction this summer – and that’s welcome news to residents who have been coping with deteriorating roads.
The province announced last week an 18 percent increase in the highways budget will put 1997-98 spending at nearly $200 million.
Of the $30 million increase this year, $17 million will be spent on highway preservation and the rest on construction. The new money includes the province’s contribution to the Canada-Saskatchewan Agri-Infrastructure Program.
Highways minister Andy Renaud said local people will have a say in priorizing where the money is spent, but preserving the existing infrastructure must be done first.
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“There is some (money) going to primary highway system, some going to secondary system and some going to our gravel highway network as well,” Renaud said.
The province also announced a 10-year $2.5 billion commitment to highways.
“Now we are calling on the federal government to match our commitment,” said finance minister Janice MacKinnon.
But Tory highways critic Jack Goohsen said people shouldn’t read too much into a 10-year commitment.
“I don’t have too much faith in long-term projects that go beyond a government’s mandate,” he said. “Realistically, governments should plan for the length of their term.”
He and Liberal critic Glen McPherson both said $30 million is not enough. Goohsen said the government needed to put between $75 million and $80 million into roads right away.
Don Kelsey of the National Farmers Union said increased highways funding is welcome but increasing heavy truck traffic means roads will still disintegrate faster than they can be maintained.
