March 20, 2014, Regina, Sask. – The Saskatchewan Heavy Construction
Association (SHCA) welcomed the
provincial government’s continued investment in Saskatchewan’s transportation
system and recognition that in Saskatchewan, growth is infrastructure.
March 20, 2014, Regina, Sask. – The Saskatchewan Heavy Construction
Association (SHCA) welcomed the
provincial government’s continued investment in Saskatchewan’s transportation
system and recognition that in Saskatchewan, growth is infrastructure.
The 2013-14 Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure budget
announcement today provides reassurance to the industry that the government is
en route to following through on its previous commitment of $2.2 billion over
the second term. Of the $576 million allocated to the ministry, $63.6 million
has been committed to some of Saskatchewan’s mega projects including the
Highway 1 overpass at the west Regina bypass, new lanes at Dewdney Ave,
construction on the Estevan truck bypass as well as work on building passing
lanes on Hwy 10 between Balgonie and Fort Qu’apelle which will be the first of
its kind in Saskatchewan.
“Today’s budget announcement shows the government is
listening. Infrastructure investment tops the list of public priorities,” SHCA
President, Shantel Lipp said.
Lipp noted that a strong infrastructure network is more than
a simple financial or economic decision. It allows Saskatchewan to compete on a
global scale for jobs, talent and large-scale investment.
“Saskatchewan is a world leader in the production of potash,
uranium, natural gas, mustard, flaxseed, lentils and dried peas. The province
currently ships 65% of what it produces outside of our borders. Accessing these
export markets from Saskatchewan requires a multimodal journey for both goods
and services,” Lipp said.
“Today’s announcement also addresses the challenges faced by
municipalities trying to balance growing public demand on new and aging
infrastructure.”
SHCA Board Chairman Sean Wilson said “This is definitely a
budget that we can work with and a positive message is being sent to our
industry that the future of our province’s growth is dependent on the
investment we make to its infrastructure.”
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