By Alice McFarlane

Funding for rural road improvements and channel clearing in Saskatchewan

Mar 10, 2021 | 2:49 PM

MELFORT, Sask. — The second day of the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) convention saw two major funding announcements.

Premier Scott Moe told the virtual gathering the province would provide $11.2 million to the Rural Integrated Roads for Growth (RIRG) program.

The program aids RMs with the cost of construction and upgrading municipal roads, bridges, and culverts.

“This money, we know, will be used and used efficiently to construct and repair roads in your municipality. To construct and repair bridges and culverts in RMs across the province,” Moe said. “It’s a partnership we are very proud of.”

Moe said making the announcement now will ensure projects will be ready for this construction season. The province has committed to re-build 100 roads over the next three years and 100 bridges over the next four years.

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Moe told SARM delegates there would also be $2 million over two years in funding to expand channel clearing for RMs across the province.

Moe said investments in communities will help build the future as the province moves through the pandemic.

“Increased funding for water management in rural communities will not only help protect essential infrastructure but also help producers grow Saskatchewan’s economy,” Moe said.

The Water Security Agency originally budgeted $600,000 over two years for channel clearing. The program will grow to $500,000 for the 2020-21 fiscal year. In 2021 to 2022, funding will increase to $1.5 million for a total of $2 million over two years.

Removing beaver dams, debris, trees and shrubs, and the removal of silt and blow dirt from and along natural channels, lessens the possibilities of blocked channels causing flooding and damage to infrastructure.

SARM President Ray Orb said obstructed creeks and channels cause flooding and erosion problems for many RMs and local landowners.

“Our communities are concerned not only about proactively dealing with situations like flooding, but also practicing good water management,” Orb said.

Clearing dense vegetation can also reduce unwanted nutrients from entering water bodies.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW