A photo taken of a crash on Highway 3 on New Year's Day 2020. (File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Public safety

‘It’s absolutely crazy’: RM calls for twinning upgrade on Shellbrook highway

Jan 26, 2021 | 5:00 PM

Citing the need to address some safety concerns, the reeve for the Rural Municipality (RM) of Buckland has written a letter to the provincial Minister of Highways, requesting that a section of Highway 3, west of Prince Albert be twinned.

The section of greatest concern to Don Fyrk is between Prince Albert and McLeod Road. While the ministry has already committed to installing three passing lanes, Fyrk argues more needs to be done.

“Passing lanes do not address the safety concerns of this section of highway. Deterioration of the highway surface and narrow shoulders contribute to our concern,” Fyrk wrote.

According to statistics provided by Fyrk, there has been 414 collisions on Highway 3 between Prince Albert and Shellbrook in the last decade. From those, 67 have resulted in some form of personal injury and there has been five fatalities. In a pair of separate crashes before Christmas, three lives were lost. In his letter, Fyrk explained the first five kilometres west from the city includes access to several urban/rural residential areas and access to industrial commercial sites.

“Traffic volume exceeds 4,100 per day including commuters, heavy commercial, forestry and agricultural traffic. Proximity to the Nisbet provincial forest results in many collisions with wildlife, reduced vision and site lines occur at dusk and at dawn,” he said.

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Fyrk added access to McLeod Road was of particular concern, because the turn is immediately after a curve on the highway, resulting in reduced sightlines for those travelling on the highway and for those entering the highway from McLeod Road. Speaking with paNOW, Fyrk said something needs to be done.

“When you see the numbers it’s absolutely crazy why they didn’t do something like this years ago, ” he said.

Ward Howat, whose business, R&W Custom Collision, is located near the intersection, is all too familiar with the safety issues on the highway and said the twinning work is long overdue.

“I think something really needs to be done to save the lives of people travelling on this road,” he said.

In November 2018, a 16-year-old girl who had just picked up her car at the shop was crossing the highway when she was struck by a semi. Howat was forced to watch from his desk and quickly rushed to the scene, and helped the girl control her breathing. It was one of many crashes he has witnessed.

“I’ve been here for 26 yeas now and I can’t remember them all that I’ve seen while working at the shop and the amount of times I’ve been out on the highway attending accidents when I was with the Buckland Fire Department. It’s unbelievable really,” he said.

According to a statement Tuesday from the Ministry of Highways, a detailed safety assessment will be conducted on the section of Highway 3 between Prince Albert and the Shell River Bridge.

“Any work identified through this safety assessment is expected to be tendered this fall, with construction anticipated the following year. The assessment will look at all options for safety improvements in the area, including twinning,” the statement said.

In addition to the Ministry of Highways, Fyrk’s letter was also sent to Sask Rivers MLA Nadine Wilson.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell