Highway three west has seen a number of collisions over the years. (Michael Joel-Hansen/paNOW Staff)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

Road Work

P.A. area highways getting upgrades

May 15, 2020 | 5:00 PM

The provincial government is spending some money to improve two Prince Albert area highways.

In a media release the government said they will be adding passing lanes to Highway 2, north of the city, which will be getting two sets of lanes, and Highway 3, west heading to Shellbrook will see three sets installed.

Reeve for the Rural Municipality of Buckland Don Fyrk said he was happy to hear the news from the province. He has made calls for improvements to the highway in the past.

“Anytime they can make a road safer, I am all for it,” he said.

Fyrk said he is pleased to hear the news passing lanes will be added to the highway heading towards Shellbrook. The reeve said this is welcome given the history the stretch of road has.

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“I think anything that can be done on the Shellbrook highway to improve it, [because] I mean, at one time that was the number one highway for accidents in Canada,” he said.

Fyrk said he hasn’t had any RM residents express serious concerns to him about the road but added it has been a source of discussion in the past.

Minister of Highways and Infrastructure Greg Ottenbreit said the decision to install passing lanes on the highways was based on the traffic flow.

“We’ll look at the different traffic numbers in different areas and see which highways warrant either passing lanes or possibly twinning,” he said.

Ottenbreit said adding them in the past has shown improved safety by up to 80 per cent. He added putting in these lanes is also less disruptive overall than twinning as it does not require the ministry to buy and develop as much land.

In terms of timelines, Ottenbreit said they will be breaking ground in 2021. He said design work will be starting this year. The minister said this is a normal timeline.

“By the time you do the surveying, acquire the land, get the contracts out, get the crushing done throughout the winter months, then they’re good to go first thing in the spring,” he said

In regards to the specific location of the passing lanes, Ottenbreit said this will be determined during the design phase. He explained the lanes will be installed where traffic flows are the highest and also take into account the surroundings, like geography and surrounding infrastructure.

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MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn