On Aug. 6, the Ministry of Highways provided an update on a partnership with the Rural Municipality (RM) of Prince Albert to cost share paving of the service road south of Prince Albert between Elevator Road and the junction of Highways 2 and 11. The service road will act as a truck route, reducing traffic crossing the median at the intersection of Highway 2 and Elevator Road.
“The Ministry of Highways is continuing to work closely with municipal governments to improve roadways through partnership agreements aimed at providing benefits to local traffic and the economy as a whole,” Highways Minister David Marit said. “Paving this service road will support both the local and provincial economies by fostering growth and improving safety.”
The agreement between the RM and the ministry was signed in the spring. Surfacing work is estimated at $924,000, with the ministry contributing up to 50 per cent of the cost. The Ministry of Highways will perform all maintenance, except for winter maintenance.
“Investing in our road infrastructure is essential for the growth and quality of life in our community,” RM of Prince Albert Reeve Tyrel Tait said. “This project is one of a number of road upgrades the RM is undergoing that will not only improve heavy hauling, but also support local businesses by facilitating better transport routes.”
On Aug. 8, Highways Minister David Marit announced the launch of the new Weekly Orange Zone Construction Update. The Weekly Orange Zone Construction Update will be released every Friday at 10 a.m. This will give motorists access to the most recent changes, as well as information on how to find all Saskatchewan’s ongoing highway construction. Equipped with the most recent information, it will allow motorists to plan the quickest and safest routes to their destinations.
“As I am reaching the halfway point of my province-wide summer road tour, I have been consistently hearing from communities I have visited that they want greater access to construction updates,” Marit said. “With the launch of the Weekly Orange Zone Construction Update, we will be able to highlight all new projects that are starting and show motorists where they can view all the ongoing highway construction in Saskatchewan.”
“Safety is our top priority – not just for the workers on the job, but for every driver passing through a construction zone,” SHCA president Shantel Lipp said. “We urge the public to slow down, stay alert and respect the signage and people working to maintain and build the roads we all rely on. Every cone, every sign and every reduced speed limit exists for one reason: to make sure everyone gets home safely at the end of the day.”
Additional details about key highway projects to help plan safe and efficient travel are available at saskatchewan.ca/orange-zone.
Description of change: The new STP 204-5-1 Handling, Storage and Transportation of Asphalt Concrete Core Samples is intended to streamline the processes and methods use in handling, storage and transportation of core samples, as well as complement STP 204-5 Asphalt Concrete Samples Obtained by Coring.
Description of change: The new Asphalt Concrete Core Samples Chain of Custody Form is intended to improve record keeping for core samples at the time the core is obtained from the road until it reaches the testing laboratory.
A goal in life for many people is to become a homeowner. People save for years to achieve homeownership and once there, it is a great feeling. Not only did you buy something to keep you secure, but you also made an investment in your future.
Unfortunately, homeownership today has become a difficult goal to reach as demand far outpaces supply, and those fortunate enough to be a homeowner know that in order to preserve what they own they have to maintain it or they lose their investment to decay and disrepair.
The same can be said about our infrastructure. Without meeting the demand of new infrastructure from a growing population and economy, investment in the province starts to falter. Without proper upkeep, the roads and bridges that help move our province forward will become broken and nonfunctional.
This past month, our friends at the Alberta Roadbuilders and Heavy Construction Association (ARHCA) raised the alarm that there is a financial disaster looming for road infrastructure. In their estimation, provincial funding cuts to highways and municipalities, and the impact from inflation, has resulted in a 50 per cent decrease to infrastructure budgets in Alberta.
This is something that is happening across all jurisdictions in Canada, and Saskatchewan in not immune.
The current level of funding for road infrastructure projects versus the level required to meet the demands of growth needs to be properly addressed. Saskatchewan’s population has been growing steadily since 2021, with the most recent estimates showing a population of 1,253,569 as of April 1, 2025. That number reflects an increase of 121,064 people added to the province since 2021.
That number also showcases an increased demand on our highway infrastructure as there are more drivers using our roads and highways year over year. If our roads are not properly maintained from increased usage, then the cost shifts from road rehabilitation to road reconstruction, which is significantly greater. This also puts additional pressure on government to ensure that road-building and maintenance budgets remain consistent with the demand.
The ARHCA also pointed out that cuts to the highway budget have a profound impact on the industry as a whole. By not reaching proper levels of funding, construction projects are deferred, which causes the industry to shed workers. Once projects pick up, those workers are no longer available as they have moved on to other jobs and industries.
This also adds additional pressure to our industry, as companies have to invest in the training of employees who are new to heavy construction. Maintaining an experienced workforce is a challenge for many SHCA members. Keeping a road-building budget in line with the pace of growth will go a long way toward worker retention.
Whether you are a new homeowner, business owner or a province keeping up to growth, the fact remains that investing in the future requires commitment.
