REGINA - Dozens of Saskatchewan communities have received grants for traffic safety improvements from the Provincial Traffic Safety Fund.
"I'm pleased that the Traffic Safety Fund is able to support an additional 62 projects across Saskatchewan to help keep people safe," said Dustin Duncan, the minister responsible for SGI. "I'd like to thank the leaders in all communities that submitted applications for their commitment to traffic safety."
Many of the approved projects focus on increasing pedestrian safety, the provincial government said in a news release. A total of 59 communities in Saskatchewan will be awarded Provincial Traffic Safety Fund grants, with 62 projects totaling nearly $1.3 million.
Grants range from $2,156 to $100,000, which is the maximum amount of funding municipalities and Indigenous lands or territories can apply for.
Among the projects the governments says are receiving support are:
•The RM of Brock received $13,838 for speed management;
•The hamlet of Cannington Lake ($3,706) for its Project Road Safety;
•The Town of Oxbow ($10,432) for a solar pedestrian crossing on Highway 18;
•The Town of Redvers ($5,500) for a Highway 8 street light project;
•The RM of Souris Valley ($4,400) for Bromhead speed awareness;
•The RM of Storthoaks ($7,256) for speed awareness signs on Range Road 1313 and Ave Mgr. Jean Garre; and
•The Town of Stoughton ($4,427) for Highway 33 speed awareness.
Since 2019, Provincial Traffic Safety Fund grants have been awarded to communities twice a year, using proceeds from photo radar speed enforcement. With the latest round of grants, more than $10 million has been provided for 733 projects through the Provincial Traffic Safety Fund.
"This has been an extremely successful program, allowing communities throughout Saskatchewan to access non-tax revenue to fund many traffic safety projects," Duncan said.
Applications are reviewed by a committee made up of representatives from the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association, the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities, the Prince Albert Grand Council, the Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police, SGI, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure.
The Provincial Traffic Safety Fund grant is now open for applications for funding that will be awarded in June. The deadline for applications is March 31.
