REGINA – Fewer employees will be clearing Saskatchewan highways this winter and that concerns the opposition Liberals.
Last week, Saltcoats MLA Bob Bjornerud said public safety is at risk because of staff cuts. He released a draft memo obtained by his caucus which said there would be 375 maintenance workers this winter, down from 423.
The highways department said there will be cuts, but few drivers should notice a difference in service.
Communications director Mike Woods said the July memo obtained by the Liberals was only a proposal and there will actually be 386 winter staff.
“There will be no changes on the major highway system,” he said. “Some towns on the secondary system will see some changes in service. If they used to see the snowplows out at 7 a.m. they might not see them until 7:30 now.”
Woods said this includes low volume highways like those numbered in the 300s.
He said 96 crews are now working out of more than 100 communities. He also said crews welcome calls to advise them of icy or snow-packed roads that need attention.
