YORKTON - The multi-year passing lanes project on Highway 16 have been completed, and a ribbon cutting ceremony was held Friday to mark completion of the final set of passing lanes which have opened near Saltcoats.
"The Yellowhead highway is a major transportation corridor that is used to move people and goods across the province," Highway's Minister Jeremy Cockrill said in a release. “With the expanding canola crushing facilities in the area, there are a lot of large trucks traveling through the area and we’re taking steps to move that traffic safely and efficiently. These passing lanes allow drivers to pass slower moving vehicles safely.”
The passing lanes project extends from Clavet, east of Saskatoon to the Saskatchewan/Manitoba border, east of Yorkton. This project was one part of Saskatchewan's $2 billion stimulus program during the global pandemic to help drive economic recovery.
In all, 26 passing lanes and multiple intersection upgrades were constructed.
"As representatives of Saskatchewan truck transport, we are pleased to see investments in the highway network that assist the movement of trucks and most importantly ones designed to improve the safety for our professional drivers," Saskatchewan Trucking Association President Susan Ewart said in the release. "The passing lanes and intersection enhancements will be welcome by our members."
Passing lanes are typically a minimum of two kilometres (km) and allow drivers to pass slower moving vehicles safely.
