New Passing Lanes Being Built on Highway 5

Construction of new passing lanes is underway on Highway 5 near Humboldt. ”As the province grows, traffic is increasing on our busiest highways, which serve as key export routes,” Highways and Infrastructure Minister David Marit said. “Under the Saskatchewan Plan for Growth, we are committed to investments like twinning and passing lanes that increase capacity, enhance traffic flow and improve safety.” There will be two sets of passing lanes (four in total) for about 20 kilometres west of Humboldt to the junction of Highway 2.

Passing lanes were opened on Highway 10 between Balgonie and Fort Qu’Appelle in 2013 and on Highway 7 between Rosetown and Delisle in 2015. Studies have shown passing lanes can reduce collisions by as much as 25 per cent at 15 per cent of the cost of full twinning.

Construction on the two sets of passing lanes for about 20 kilometres between Humboldt and the Highway 2 junction started in late June. The $7.6 million project is scheduled to be complete this fall. Motorists should anticipate delays and plan ahead by checking in with the Highway Hotline at www.saskatchewan.ca/highwayhotline. The weekly construction update is published on www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/transportation/highway-construction-projects/weekly-highway-construction-update throughout the spring and summer months to provide the travelling public with the latest construction information. The Government of Saskatchewan has invested $7.4 billion in transportation infrastructure since 2008, improving more than 12,000 km of Saskatchewan highways. For more information, contact: Steve Shaheen Highways and Infrastructure Regina Phone: 306-527-8740 Email: steve.shaheen@gov.sk.ca