Highway 39 between Estevan and Weyburn remains closed thanks largely to weather-related delays, said Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure spokesman Dan Palmer late Tuesday morning.
"The highway is expected to fully re-open as early as next week, depending on the weather," Palmer said.
Two projects have caused this part of the highway to be closed. A culvert replacement southeast of Weyburn and a grade raise northwest of Estevan near Macoun.
The culvert replacement was completed over the past weekend and that meant the highway was opened to local traffic only from Weyburn to Midale. But Highway 39 still remains closed between Estevan and Midale.
Work will continue on the more than one kilometre stretch of highway that is being raised 0.6 metre to eliminate the problem that was encountered earlier this year with flood waters crossing over the highway, creating the need to reduce traffic to one lane.
The paving of this portion of the highway should be completed later this week if the weather allows.
"Recent rainstorms over the last several days have caused delays in completing the grade-raise project," said Palmer.
Once the grade raise is completed, the Estevan to Midale stretch of Highway 39 will re-open. That will signal the completion of the work and access to both cities along this highway.
In the meantime, traffic is detouring east/west via Highway 13 between Weyburn and Stoughton and north/south on Highway 47 between Stoughton and Estevan. Motorists are reminded to obey detour signs and flag persons.
"The ministry appreciates the patience being displayed by motorists during this necessary closure," said Palmer who noted that a highway update report will be issued later this week that will contain the latest information regarding the Highway 39 repair status.
