The Editor,
Concerning Highways Minister Jim Reiter's announcements heard on the radio Tuesday, February 8, suggesting building passing lanes to alleviate the heavy traffic problems on our highways.
This in my mind is nothing but a ploy, an appeasement, a tactic to delay twinning. This will not help at all, as most truckers will not be interested in slowing down to let other traffic pass them.As to the choice of which highways should be twinned next, there is no doubt that considering the safety issue, the economics and traffic on
these roadways, that Highways 39 and 6 are the most urgent on the list.
With hundreds of large transports, oilfield rigs, tankers and long trailers travelling these roads, they are a constant safety threat to all other traffic. As to the economics, as a great part of the revenues come from southeastern Saskatchewan, it is time for payback. With all this revenue, Highways 39 and 6 could be twinned in three years with a 30-mile stretch starting at Regina and another 30 miles starting at Estevan in the spring of 2012; the other 60 or so miles to be built similarly in 2013. The stretch from Estevan to North Portal (not as urgent) finished in 2013.
Money for the proposed new stadium in Regina should certainly not be considered before the greater needs to twin our highways.This government needs to place their priorities where they are due. Twinning 39 and 6 is a must now! First in line now! I urge all southeast Saskatchewan residents to flood our MLAs with letters requesting their immediate decision to twin 39 and 6.
Bert Parent,
Estevan
