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Passing lanes to be constructed between Estevan and Weyburn next year

There are still some details that need to be worked out, but it appears passing lanes will be added for Highway 39 between Estevan and Weyburn next year.

There are still some details that need to be worked out, but it appears passing lanes will be added for Highway 39 between Estevan and Weyburn next year.

The provincial government made the announcement earlier this month with the announcement of the fall tenders. The work will be completed during next year’s construction season.

It’s not known how many sets of passing lanes will be constructed between Estevan and Weyburn, or where exactly those passing lanes will be built.

Two sets of passing lanes have been constructed on Highway 6 south of Regina this year, in the first phase of the government’s plan to have a combination of passing lanes and twinning on Highways 39 and 6 between Estevan and Regina.

One set opened early in October, and the other set is scheduled to open this week.

Completion of the second set was delayed due to non-co-operative weather conditions earlier this month. Double lanes have also been under construction for Highway 6 south of Regina.

“By the time we hit the end of the construction season here, the plan is to have the whole thing fully opened,” said Estevan MLA Lori Carr, who is also the minister for Highways and Infrastructure. “If you’re coming into Regina in the winter months, all of that construction is going to be completely gone on the south side of the city.”

She said she makes a point to travel Highways 39 and 6 when venturing from Estevan to Regina because of the work taking place.  

“I know it’s something new for people in southern Saskatchewan, and it’s not something we have,” said Carr.

When she was in Montreal a few years ago, Carr encountered passing lanes for the first time, and found they worked well, thanks in part to the signage in place. 

“You just get used to them, you know they’re coming up, you’re way more patient, and you don’t take that chance that you might have taken, because you know those passing lanes are there," said Carr.

She is looking forward to when the passing lanes are finished, and they are opened up.

There will be up to 16 sets of passing lanes constructed between Regina and Estevan, and there will be some twinning as well. Earlier this year, the government announced plans to twin a short stretch of Highway 39 east of Weyburn, but that project is not included in next year’s plans.

Passing lanes will be constructed on Highway 39 from Weyburn to Corinne in 2020.