Northern Leaders Hoping To See Highways Money

Northern Leaders Hoping To See Highways Money

Monday, March 21, 2005 at 15:36

The provincial government is feeling more pressure from northern groups to increase funding for highways in the North.

Four major agencies in northern Saskatchewan are lobbying the NDP government to invest more funds into the deteriorating roadways in advance of this week’s provincial budget announcement.

Top delegates from the Prince Albert Grand Council, Northern Development Board Corporation, Meadow Lake Tribal Council and New North are requesting the Calvert government commit to the upgrading of the roads.

New North leader Max Morin says the government needs to make the same committment to northern highways as it has done with the Trans-Canada Highway and the Yellowhead Highway into Alberta.

Morin says the Calvert government did spend a small investment last year on the main highway in the North, Highway 155, but feels it wasn’t enough.

Morin says northern roadways are vital for residents in the region who rely on the roads for personal and business purposes.

The leaders have promised to continue to lobby the provincial government for upgrades to highways in the North and for the construction of the proposed all-weather road network in the Athabasca Basin.