Trucks moving through the Estevan area now have a new, designated and safer route by which they can avoid slowing down in the city traffic. Although it’s been a while in the making, the new truck bypass is finally open.
The opening took place amid the drizzle and chill of the morning of Nov. 10, in a brief ceremony in which dignitaries spoke of the benefits the new route entails.
“Two-thirds of our economy is tied up in exports, with transportation being a crucial element and our government has spent more than $560 million in new highway capital projects alone,” said Estevan MLA Doreen Eagles. “This bypass will add more efficiency for global and national transportation of goods.”
Eagles noted that Highway 39 is an important part of the highway system of Saskatchewan, since it’s linked to the North Portal border station, one of two international border crossings into the U.S., with over 200,000 vehicles passing through it last year.
She also said the bypass will ease congestion in the Estevan’s streets, giving trucks going through the area the option of not having to drive through the already busy routes within the city.
The bypass has been a work in progress since the decision to build it was made in 2009. The bypass is anticipated to be able to accommodate truck traffic for the next 20 years.
During a media tour of the bypass, Sonja Orban, communications consultant with the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure, noted the reduced truck traffic using routes within the city will reduce wear and tear on the streets and create a safer environment for pedestrians.
Kelly Lafrentz, reeve of the RM of Estevan said that the RM won’t be getting actively involved in any future construction along the bypass.
Lafrentz said, “The developers will come to the council with their plans and ideas, and we’ll deal with them on their own, individual merit.”
A press release from the Saskatchewan Trucking Association contended that the opening of the new bypass, being a critical stretch of highway, will move the province’s economy forward.
“Being so close to the border, it is important to give special consideration to truck traffic,” wrote Nicole Sinclair, membership services liaison with the Saskatchewan Trucking Association. “Eighty per cent of Saskatchewan’s merchandise trade with the United States moves by truck.”
The bypass itself is a total of 13 kilometres long, running from the west side of Estevan to the east side, with connectors on the highways coming out of the city, including King Street, Kensington Avenue, Sister Roddy Road, Highway 47 and the north-south grid.
The cost of the project has been $45.5 million with $17 million of it covered by a contribution from the federal government’s Building Canada Fund. During the media tour, Orban said there has been a steady increase in truck traffic over the last few years, with truck traffic increasing on roads in the Estevan area by 97 per cent since 2007.
As far as the laws concerning truck traffic in the area are concerned, Estevan police Chief Paul Ladouceur said that, while there may be some adjustments to the traffic bylaw in light of the new bypass, it’s premature to say anything definitive on the matter, since nothing has been presented to the Estevan city council yet.
“We have to assess what kind of changes in truck traffic we’re going to see,” said Ladouceur. “I can tell you that the traffic bylaw, at present, is under review. It’s being done in consultation with the traffic control committee. Our office, the city managers and people from various departments, such as roads, are reviewing it.”
David Smith, Ministry of Highways and Transportation regional executive director for the Southern Region, said this past year has been a good one for construction because of the warm, clear weather throughout the construction season.
“We worked very closely with industry partners, consultants and contractors in the province. There were many projects completed this year, on time and on budget. We were very happy the Estevan bypass was one of them” said Smith. “It will give the area the ability to see some
economic growth.”
