Although negotiations are continuing, no physical work has begun on the heavy truck bypass around Estevan.
According to an e-mail from the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure, they are still involved in negotiations with affected landowners along the bypass route.
As was reported earlier this year in The Mercury, the ministry and the majority of landowners have been mired in somewhat of a deadlock over the price the province is willing to offer for the needed land.
In an article published in August, it was noted that the province had made their first offer but it was rejected by the owners. At that time it noted they were expecting a second valuation.
Del Block, who is one of the landowners in the area, said the negotiations are continuing and there is an information meeting scheduled for Nov. 21.
"We are still working with them, we are still in the negotiation phase," Block said.
Aside from working to acquire the land, the e-mail noted the ministry is also making preparations for all utility moves and that plans for all segments have been sent to the required utility companies for their review. It added the utility moves may start later this winter or next spring.
Also in the works is the finalizing of the design and tender package to position for the tendering of the project which is subject to environmental approvals and property procurement.
The initial timelines presented by the ministry had called for some earthwork to begin this year with the project to get fully underway in 2013.
The delay caused by the negotiations is just the latest issue in what has been a somewhat rocky ride for the project.
The first plan presented by the government was panned by a number of people who were concerned that its location - notably where the route connects with Highway 39 west of Estevan - was unsafe.
It was felt that having the intersection near the Pioneer Grain Terminal and the adjacent rail tracks presented an unnecessary safety risk. It was later determined that the intersection would be moved further west to avoid the terminal.
The City of Estevan has also raised a number of concerns about the pace of work as roads within Estevan are continuing to be battered by the increased heavy truck traffic.
