There are still expectations, or at least hope, of a truck route around the city of Estevan by 2016, but negotiations with some of the affected landowners regarding the purchase of right-of-way properties have not been completed yet.
Officials with the provincial Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure said last week there has been some preconstruction work undertaken with the $50 million project. That work included such items as a detailed design, the movement of utilities to accommodate the new route and some right-of-way planning.
Kirsten Leatherdale, senior communications consultant for the ministry, said the selected route runs north of the city from the intersection of Highway 39 and the Shand Road to Highway 39 west of the city. The 12-kilometre stretch will initially be constructed as a two-lane road. The plan, however, is developed to allow for twinning, and interchanges at the west and east ends, and at the junction of Highway 47 if future traffic volumes will require them.
It is still expected that actual construction could begin later this year with the entire project expected to take three years to complete.
Leatherdale noted that the Government of Canada is contributing up to $17 million of the cost under the Building Canada Fund mandate.
When completed, it is anticipated the truck route will improve traffic flow in and around the city, enhance safety and generate potential development opportunities in the area.
Some properties adjoining the future truck route have already been purchased and developers have announced a variety of plans that will unfold in concert with the actual construction of the highway once it begins.
"We've come up with a plan for a bypass that meets current demands and allows the bypass to evolve as traffic volumes and the Estevan area grow," said Leatherdale in conclusion.
