By Kevin Martel

Province commits to 6 new highway cameras this winter in Saskatchewan

Nov 13, 2013 | 4:16 PM

Despite some hesitation, the Government of Saskatchewan is now confirming more cameras will be placed on highways in the province to improve safety for drivers when road conditions deteriorate.

Six new cameras will be installed on five different highways across the province by this winter season. That’s in addition to the four cameras the province currently has in operation.

“Coming off a winter like last winter, I think people will appreciate it,” said Highways Minister Don McMorris .

Last March, the highways ministry said there would be up to five more cameras installed this year. But when News Talk followed up with the ministry near the end of October, they told us the probability was “highly unlikely” because of budget concerns.

But now, McMorris said they were able to find the money to move ahead with the initiative. The cameras will run the province about $210,000, or an average of $35,000 for each camera. That will include the electricity used to run them along with an apparatus for them to be mounted on.

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The new camera locations include:
• Highway 1 at Moose Jaw
• Highway 2 near the new St. Louis Bridge
• Two locations on Highway 10 (at the Avonhurst Grid and near Balgonie)
• Highway 11 near Macdowall
• Highway 16 near the Borden Bridge

Right now there are four cameras set up: one in the north between La Ronge and Prince Albert, one northeast of Lloydminster, and two along Highway 11 between Saskatoon and Regina. You can see the view for yourself here.

Last winter was especially bad for drivers, thanks to a record snowfall causing terrible road conditions. Many people called on the provincial government to add more monitoring cameras. The province was also criticized for its Highway Hotline service not providing up-to-the-minute information even though McMorris now says 97 per cent of hotline users say the system meets their needs.

The cameras aren’t perfect McMorris stated, referring to how difficult it is for drivers to see black ice while on the road, let alone through the lens of a camera.

He said once the cameras are installed they’ll be monitored closely. The decision to add even more down the line will depend on driver feedback.

“If people are utilizing them and say they’re very effective we could probably see more into the future,” said McMorris.

The six new cameras will bring the province’s total highway camera number to 10. That compares to Alberta’s 83 and BC’s 326.

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On Twitter: @princealbertnow