By Alex Coop
acoop@estevanmercury.ca
The resurfacing project on a large portion of Highway 39 is projected to be complete by the middle of October.
Mark Rathwell, senior communications consultant with the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure, said the $9 million project from northwest of Estevan to northwest of Macoun should be completed according to schedule, unless the weather takes a turn for the worst.
"Anytime you have rain it can push projects back, and I hate to say but it's a reality, but let's hope we don't get snow before the middle of October," he laughed.
Part of the project will include additional and upgraded turning lanes at the Macoun access, Hitchcock and Sister Roddy Road, alongside the repaved asphalt. There are currently no plans for further additions.
"A lot of that work is evaluated according to traffic studies as time goes on and as traffic volumes increase, that's when the need for those things gets evaluated," he said.
When it comes to traffic lights, Rathwell said "it's not our plan to install anything in a rural setting at this time," adding it's largely up to the city whether or not they want traffic lights or other alterations done within the city limits.
Highway 39 between Estevan and Macoun averages about 3,600 vehicles per day according to the Saskatchewan Government Insurance's 2012 traffic collision statistics.
