This weekend is being considered the unofficial start of the 2021 road construction season by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure. Heading into Saturday, most of the planned contracts from the fall tender process have been awarded, and work has either started or is set to start shortly. 

"Spring and summer 2021 will be one of the largest construction seasons the province has seen in a while,” said Minister of Highways and Infrastructure Fred Bradshaw. The provincial government is planning to spend roughly $440 million on over 820 kilometres of roadway improvements in Saskatchewan. 

Some of the key projects from the fall tender that will be worked on this year include the completion of a multi-year, multi-passing lane project on Highway 7 from Saskatoon to the Alberta border, passing lanes on Highways 2, 3, 5, 7, 12, 14 and 16, resurfacing and paving work on Highways 8, 15, 18 and 322, plus various culvert and bridge rehabilitations and replacements. This is above and beyond work that was already planned for this year, such as the continuation of the passing lane work being done on Highways 39 and 6 from Regina to Estevan.  

The provincial government has planned to improve 10,000 kilometres of provincial highways and roadways by the end of 2030 as part of their growth plan.