This week is Transportation Week in Saskatchewan.
"It is important for us to recognize those who keep our economy moving," said Highways Minister Lori Carr. "This week is about recognizing the thousands of dedicated people who are vital to getting goods and products to market and build and maintain our province's infrastructure."
Carr said within a landlocked province like ours, transportation is critically important, which is why drivers need to use care and patience when dealing with the means by which goods are delivered to our communities.
"We have all of our railroads and our roads that have intersections that cross each other," she noted. "Waiting at your train isn't fun sometimes, but look both ways, stop when the lights are flashing, and ensure that it's safe to go when it's clear."
She said she's known all along how important transportation has been for the economy, but the rail stoppage in recent weeks highlighted this for everyone.
"Even for the average individual, that was maybe watching the news and didn't realize that, 'oh, you know what? My strawberries may not get here, and if they do get here, they're probably gonna cost me three times as much because the supply is so low'. So transportation is a vital role in this province."
This year's Highways budget of $741 million will improve key transportation corridors to continue to meet the growing needs of Saskatchewan's economy, families and communities.
"We will continue to make necessary investments and ensure products are able to safely and efficiently get to more than 160 countries around the world," shared Carr.
This year's budget will fund improvements to more than 1,100 kilometres of the provincial highways network. Major projects include continuing the twinning construction projects near Rowatt and Corinne on Highways 6 and 39 between Regina and Weyburn, and corridor improvements on Highway 5 east of Saskatoon.
Saskatchewan's Ministry of Highways operates and maintains more than 26,500 km of highways, 16 northern airports, 12 ferries and a barge. It provides funding for maintenance and improvements to community airports, shortline railways, and municipal roads and bridges.
The Government of Saskatchewan has invested more than $13 billion in transportation infrastructure since 2008, to improve more than 20,700 kilometres of Saskatchewan highways.