Estevan – Estevan’s new truck bypass, announced in 2008, is just about ready.
Sonja Orban, communications consultant with the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure, said completion is expected in early November.
Several businesses and individuals Pipeline News spoke to in the last month expressed concern about the lack of traffic signals on the bypass, which will divert heavy traffic around the north end of the city. Concern was raised especially for the intersection of Highway 47 and the bypass.
Orban said, “Right now there are no plans for traffic lights on the bypass,” she said.
At the Highway 47 intersection, north and southbound traffic will have rumble strips and advance stop signs.
The intersection of Highway 39/18 and the bypass on the east side of Estevan has had acceleration and declerations lanes added. Similar work was done on the west side. Canadian Pacific has installed signal arms and lights at each of the two rail crossings. She said there will be warning lights to not make a turn onto the bypass if a train is blocking it.
Weather delayed the project’s progress in 2014, but good weather in 2015 allowed for work to be brought back on track, according to Orban.
The first phases of the planned twinning of Highways 39 and 6, from North Portal to Regina, is expected to begin shortly, with the portion from Bienfait to Estevan going to tender in November.
