Over $100 million set to improve highways 6, 39

Soon Highways 6 and 39 will be a bit of an easier drive thanks to over $100 million in funding from federal and provincial government.

On Tuesday, Ralph Goodale, minister in charge of public safety, announced $53 million will be invested to improve highway safety and for goods to move more efficiently.

The Saskatchewan government applied for the money about a year ago and will contribute 50 per cent, making the total investment around $106 million.

“The highway between Estevan and Regina typically (has) 100,000 trucks use (the stretch of road) every year and some six billion dollars in trade,” Goodale said.

A total of 32 passing lanes will be added throughout the two highways with 16 on each side. Small sections of the road north of Milestone and south of Weyburn will be twinned. The funding also covers repaving for roughly 51 kilometres improving intersections along with highway entrances and exits.

“It lowers the temperature for drivers who are caught in long lineups of traffic and find that very frustrating,” he said.

Goodale said the funding comes from the National Trade Corridors Fund (NTCF) where various groups on a small and large level can apply for the funding.

The NTCF is in place for infrastructure projects across the nation that will help boost and promote international trade.