RCMP have been out in recent weeks ensuring drivers are aware of the new speed limit at Rosthern. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Highway improvements

Speed changes made on highway 11

Aug 8, 2022 | 5:00 PM

Anyone who has made the drive in recent weeks from Prince Albert to Saskatoon, may have noticed a sudden need to slow down at Rosthern.

The new signage advises drivers they have to slow from 110km/hr to 90km/hr, as they pass by the community. Mayor Keith Helmuth advised paNOW the measure was not something council had not been advocating for, but adds collectively they are in favor of the change and specifically how it impacts east and westbound traffic coming off highway 312.

“It’s just an extremely busy corner so I guess the theory is if speed is reduced, people have a little more reaction time,” he said.

On the east side of the highway are a number of new businesses. Helmuth advised he is aware of more than a few close calls.

“I wouldn’t have any statistics for it, but it’s a very high risk intersection,” he explained, adding in the future there are plans for more developments on the northeast corner including a new restaurant.

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“So traffic patterns are only gonna get more demanding,” Helmuth said.

Helmuth also noted the town has been advised of more highway improvements to come, in the form of new acceleration lanes.

From July 31 to Aug. 6, Saskatchewan RCMP officers issued 16 tickets and 33 warnings to drivers on Highway 11 at Rosthern.

The tickets were for offences including speeding, failing to produce vehicle registration, inadequate windshield, unrestrained cargo and failing to have a firmly secured/visible/legible license plate.

These figures include tickets and warnings issued during regular traffic patrols, as well as a targeted enforcement event on Aug. 4.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell