On May 6, the Saskatchewan government announced they would be committing $300 million for new highway projects as part of a two-year capital plan worth $7.5 billion.

The $300 million will be invested to help create a quick restart to the province’s economy affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This stimulus package will provide an economic boost creating jobs and building priority infrastructure projects which will serve the citizens of the province for decades to come,” stated Minister of Highways and Infrastructure Greg Ottenbreit in a release on Wednesday.

Projects will involve 325 kilometres of thin-membrane surface upgrades, 24 to 26 passing lanes and improvements to municipal roads and airports including the rehabilitation of 100 kilometres of roads.

The government says this is an addition to current investments of $358 million in capital projects already committed in this year’s estimates:

• Nine sets of passing lanes and resurfacing and widening on Highways 6 and 39 between Regina and the Canada-US Border;
• Four sets of passing lanes and resurfacing on Highway 7 between Delisle and Kindersley, plus planning for three additional sets of passing lanes between Kindersley and the Saskatchewan-Alberta border;
• Two sets of passing lanes, resurfacing, and widening of Highway 5 plus planning for a short section of twinning between Saskatoon and the junction of Highway 2;
• Three sets of passing lanes on Highway 10 between Melville and Yorkton; and
• Three sets of passing lanes on Highway 9 between Yorkton and Canora.