Work is underway in the RM of Estevan as they're looking to improve a road that's been on their list of work for a while. The Rafferty Dam Road is currently undergoing work, giving the road, which links much of Estevan to the Rafferty Reservoir, a whole new surface.
Reeve Jason LeBlanc says that the RM is hoping to get some of those important projects wrapped up this summer.
"Each year, we pick a few projects to try and make the RM that much better, and this year, a couple of the projects are the 705 Road, which is on the south side of Estevan. Probably one of the main East-West roads with the oil field activity, and we're doing some rebuilds on that. Then the big one is Rafferty Dam Road from Highway 18 all the way to Highway 39. That road's getting a complete redo."
Leblanc says they've been in contact with the Saskatchewan Water Authority to get some help with the work.
"We've got them talked into building and redoing the top of the dam. It will not be paved, but it will be resurfaced and restructured, and we took advantage of that to make it work with our own plans. We're going to redo the entire road from one end to the other."
The main problem with the road is that it's mostly made up of sand, which can be a poor building material for the road. The current work will lay a better base for the full road, with LeBlanc mentioning the potential for paving in the future, though that's not part of the project this summer.
As the construction continues, Leblanc says they're working with a southeast construction company to make sure everyone's accommodated.
"The road is under construction as we speak. Gee Bee Construction won the tender, and they've been excellent to work with. They're working with all the residents who live on the road. They're working with the fishermen, they're working with the ranchers, the farmers, everybody that needs access to that road. They're working with them."
LeBlanc says the construction company asks everyone to stay off the road for a few weeks while the process is completed. If people have to travel along the route in the meantime, they should be aware that the road is under construction and may be rough in areas.
Currently, work is progressing a segment at a time across the road. Leblanc says seeing the work get started is very rewarding for the local RM.
"It's been a big undertaking. It's about a $2.8 million project. We worked in conjunction with the Sask. government to get it done. It's going to be good."
The road will feature an MG30 liquid calcium product, which will keep the dust down while it's dry, though Leblanc says people may need to watch for a slicker road when it's wet out.
With the summer of 2025 ahead of them, LeBLanc says the RM is in good shape.
"We just went through a complete tax roll assessment that came out from the provincial government, which is not the RM. And we're trying to make adjustments there. This will be looking like probably the sixth year in a row with no tax increase. We think we can handle it that way. And we think we're going to be under control."
The RM is also working on the west industrial area, which is between Rafferty Road and the City of Estevan, looking at where water gathers there following heavy rains. They'll be undertaking an endeavour to fix the water problems in that area sometime in the future.