Battlefords MLA Jeremy Cockrill speaks on highway investments. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Julia Lovett-Squires

HWY Upgrades

Cockrill provides update on infrastructure plans

Sep 5, 2024 | 4:06 PM

With the backdrop featuring two trucks and photo placards of local highways, Battlefords MLA Jeremy Cockrill spoke about the future of Saskatchewan highways.

“Transportation plays really, I would say a very key role in Saskatchewan,” he said from the podium at the Ministry of Highways Facility.

The announcement, held on Thursday, Sept. 5 and held on behalf of Highways Minister Lori Carr, was to provide an update on the $30 million investments for the west-central roadways.

A map of areas being worked on. (Submitted photo/Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways)

“We know that the highways in Saskatchewan are how we get to and from the things that ensure our quality of life and second, that same highways network supports our province’s strong and growing exports-based economy,” Cockrill said.

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Among the projects highlighted include more than $10 million for the 18-kilometer stretch of highway from Borden Bridge and Raddison on the eastbound side and over $5.2 on different areas of Highway 4 and 16 that was completed earlier this year.

In a emailed statement to battlefordsNOW Official Opposition Highways Critic Trent Wotherspoon said, “highways are hugely important for trade,” and noted they are the “lifeline” for communities.

Copy of a contract bid. (Submitted/NDP)

“We should be maximizing the value of these important projects for local communities, but instead the Sask. Party government keeps hiring out-of-province contractors.”

For his part, Cockrill said the Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Highway’s budget is investing $741 million into key transportation corridors and noted since 2008, $13 billion had been invested.

Battleford Mayor Ames Leslie speaks on highway investments. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Other projects Cockrill touted included improvements to 1,100 km of highways including a $461,000 for “a cable barrier along Highway 40 west of its junction with Highway 4 west of the Battlefords” which is expected to be completed this fall.

Ames Leslie, Battleford’s mayor, spoke to the impacts the improvements make on emergency services. He shared a story of when an older highway to Chitek Lake was updated.

“I’ve had conversations with emergency services personnel, the RCMP and the paramedics and their job is a lot easier today that they can actually respond with some expedient timelines,” he said.

(Submitted photo/Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways)

“Those are some of the impacts that these investments that get overlooked is it makes it safer for our emergency services to use to respond.”

In a follow up interview, Cockrill spoke to local media about the twinning plans for Highway 4.

“We’ve done some public engagement with folks in the area and local municipalities,” he said, noting a start date for the construction has yet to be determined.

“We’re gathering that feedback right now, putting together a functional study on what that design would look like for the twinning and then hopefully we could move that forward as quickly as possible.”

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julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

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