Safety is what they like to live by at the Ministry of highways, and that's their focus for this upcoming construction season. 

On Wednesday the province announced $700 million would be invested in Saskatchewan's highways, one of those upcoming project being the intersection on highway 1 near Kalium Road. 

Exit and entrance ramps will soon be added to the area said Steve Shaheen, Senior Communication Consultant with the Ministry of Highways. 

"This will help to alleviate safety concerns, delay times for vehicles turning at highway 1 and Kalium Road particularly during the shift change. The southbound to westbound ramps will allow vehicles turning westbound from Kalium to bypass the vehicle queue at the stop sign and merge onto highway 1 at highway speeds," said Shaheen. "As part of the project, the safety improvements at the intersection will also extend the turning lanes at highway 1. We anticipate that the tendering of the project will occur later this month or early part of June with roadwork expected to begin later this summer or the early part of the fall."

He noted that the Ministry calculated there are roughly 11,400 vehicles that pass through the area per day which lead to the intersection being chosen for work this year. 

The other project that started last year and should be finished mid-summer is the passing lane work happening on highway 2 just north of our city. 

"It's scheduled to be complete near the end of July, construction to passing lanes is from north of Moose Jaw to just south of Tuxford for a total distance of about 4.5 kilometres. We would just like to remind motorists to expect some minor delays, both lanes will be open most of the time, watch for equipment and workers, and obey all signage," added Shaheen. "The passing lanes provide additional opportunities for drivers to pass safely and they reduce collision rates by about 25%. We also recognize that they are cost-effective a much lower cost than having to twin a highway."

He added that typically when passing lanes go in traffic volumes aren't quite at the threshold to warrant twinning but do need added safety measures for drivers. 

Shaheen said they will continue to ask residents to slow down and be extra cautious around all construction areas as they would like to keep all workers safe.