The New Democrats are advocating for a provincial highways improvement strategy, which prioritizes upkeep and ongoing maintenance of northern arterial roadways.
Leader Ryan Meili and Athabasca by-election candidate Georgina Jolibois are speaking to road conditions of Highway 155 and Highway 905.
“I know it’s full of potholes. You get north of Shellbrook, north of the Premier’s hometown, and suddenly, not very long after the road starts to really deteriorate all the way up through Green Lake, Beauval, Buffalo Narrows up to La Loche,” said Meili, speaking of Highway 155.
The NDP leader explained that if the province intends to capitalize on Northern economic prosperity and development, access to safe and reliable roads are needed. The condition of Highway 155 has appeared several times as one of the worst roads in Saskatchewan according to the CAA.
Jolibois the current Mayor of La Loche claims to have presented Highway 155 degradation to the attention of the province, essentially being told to wait your turn for improvements. “I know groups, government agencies and local leadership have submitted a proposal to improve Highway 155,” said Jolibois. “There’s no further commitment from the province.”
Meili could not provide a cost on what the highways improvement strategy would cost, stating a study would need to be conducted. He is calling for immediate short-term improvements, until a long-term plan is developed.
The Ministry of Highways said $2.54 million is allocated this year to improve eight sections of Highway 155 north of Buffalo Narrows. In addition, a $5.4 million contract was awarded for construction and surfacing this upcoming spring on Highway 155 north of Buffalo Narrows.
The ministry also invested more than $2.95 million into upgrades for Highway 905 and culvert replacements north and south of the Wollaston Lake Access.