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Constructions on Highway 47 from Estevan to the U.S. border proceeding as scheduled

The construction on Highway 47 from the junction with Highway 39 in Estevan to the U.S. border started at the end of June and is planned to be completed before the end of summer.
Highway 47
Contractors were busy laying asphalt on Highway 47 near Woodlawn Regional Park last Friday.

The construction on Highway 47 from the junction with Highway 39 in Estevan to the U.S. border started at the end of June and is planned to be completed before the end of summer.

The contractors started from within the city, then proceeded to the intersection with Highway 18 and continued on paving the southern part of the highway.

Minister of Highways and Infrastructure Greg Ottenbreit said the progress is going really well.

“There is about 16.5 kilometres of repaving of Highway 47 that's going from the Canada-U.S. border to its junction with Highway 39. And then additionally there is about half of a kilometre on Highway 18 from the junction with Highway 47 to the west,” said Ottenbreit.

The construction started according to the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure’s schedule. Depending on the weather, it’s planned to finish the works on the highway going to the U.S. border by early August.

Ottenbreit pointed out that some works within the city limits are already completed, and another portion south of Estevan on Highway 18 was also finalized. So if everything continues the way it was, the Highway 47 construction should be completed on time.

“All things being equal the way it’s going now, we expect that project done in August,” said Ottenbreit.

He noted that there were no challenges so far. The weather has been co-operative enough, the recent rains didn’t affect the plans and the contractors were able to stick to the laid out schedule. 

“The contractors that we use are all very reputable and do good work. I haven’t really heard of too many challenges at this point,” said Ottenbreit.

He noted that people from time to time get a little bit impatient in construction zones.

“It’s understandable. We just ask people to expect minor delays and make sure that they follow the speed zone signs and watch for people and equipment. We want them to get to their destination without incident and we certainly want our workers to get home safely,” said Ottenbreit.

So far there have been no unforeseen circumstances requiring extra financing, so the contractors are staying within the outlined budget.

While the construction continues, equipment and workers are present on the road at different locations, and detours occur on a regular basis. Motorists are asked to use extreme caution when passing through the construction zone and expect delays. 

There are a number of other major construction projects currently taking place in the southeast. Ottenbreit said that works on passing lanes on Highway 39 are progressing well.

“It is going on schedule and we are expecting the completion of that project on its scheduled date as well,” said Ottenbreit.

According to the Government of Saskatchewan website, the entire project includes 11 sets of passing lanes between Estevan and the South Regina Bypass, a few short segments of twinning where passing lanes aren't feasible, intersection improvements, access consolidations and service road construction.

Motorists can expect major delays on Highway 39 between North Portal and Rouleau as multiple construction crews will be working on more than 200 kilometres of highway throughout the summer months.

The final completion for the passing lanes is set for June 2021.