Pothole repair work is underway on a stretch of Highway 35 north of Weyburn, just days after the highway was named one of the worst in Saskatchewan by CAA’s Worst Roads campaign.
The repairs are being handled by the City of Weyburn, which is responsible for maintaining a 1.7-kilometre portion of the highway just north of 5th Avenue North. Crews began the work Friday, and it is expected to continue into next week, weather permitting.
“Starting today, the City will be completing some pothole repairs and patching along Highway 35 North,” said Renee Cugnet, Director of Engineering with the City of Weyburn, when talking with Discover Weyburn Friday morning. “The challenge we're faced with right now is that the existing asphalt on this stretch of highway has reached its end-of-life capacity, making it very difficult for the pothole repairs to hold up for any length of time.”
Traffic will be reduced to one lane through active work zones, with flag persons and signage in place. A temporary speed reduction will also be in effect.
“We would just ask for drivers to be patient when approaching that work zone, respect all signage, the reduced speed limits, and the traffic control people out there, and just to expect and plan for delays along that stretch of highway,” Cugnet said.
While the repairs will help improve safety in the short term, Cugnet noted they are not a long-term solution. “It is to be expected that these pothole repairs will be temporary. So, it is what it is,” she added.
With major construction already planned for the roundabout at the intersections of Highways 13 and 39, and the permanent closure of the Queen Street access to Highway 39, the city is anticipating increased traffic volumes along the government-maintained stretch of Highway 35 between Highways 13 and 39.
As for the remainder of Highway 35 north of city limits, under provincial jurisdiction, Cugnet confirmed there has been no communication from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways regarding repair work.
In a written response to an interview request earlier this week, the provincial Ministry of Highways didn’t answer if there were any plans to make repairs to that portion of the highway.