Work continues at the intersection of Highways 39 and 13 as a roundabout is being constructed in the high-traffic corridor. This is part of a $29 million project that includes the twinning of nearly six kilometres of Highway 39 northwest of Weyburn.
Director of Communications at the Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways, David Horth, says the project is making good progress and scheduled to be completed on time
“The contractor is scheduled to start pouring concrete in the roundabout itself, so that's the centre portion, beginning the week of August 11th, this is always weather dependent, of course, and paving is scheduled to start at the end of August. The roundabout is slated for completion this fall, subject to weather, and the twinning is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2026, and again, that's subject to weather.”
Many community members have reported a lack of activity at the job site, however, Horth dispels rumours of short staffing. He stresses that the contractor is fully staffed, and any absences are due to either days off or delays due to the weather.
“The only times that people won't necessarily see the contractor on site is sometimes it might be days off, or in some cases, because we're working outdoors, the project gets impacted by rain, and sometimes you need a period of time after a rain event for the ground to dry out enough so that work can resume.”
Horth encourages drivers to be mindful when heading through the area and urges motorists to follow all posted signage and instructions. He stresses the importance of safety for both the workers on site and those driving through the area.
“Everyone wants to get home safely at the end of every workday, whether you're just travelling through a work zone or whether you're working there.”
He encourages patience, saying the construction will be well worth the inconvenience. Not only will it improve the safety and efficiency of the intersection but also support the area's export-based economy.
“We recognize that construction projects are an inconvenience, and we thank people for their patience. It's a bit like when you're doing a kitchen renovation. While it's going on in your house, you wonder if it'll ever end and when it's over, you have something that's much nicer.”
“As long as people are patient and recognize that we're working towards something better with some considerable dollars for the community of Weyburn, then we can all agree that it'll be a good thing in the long run.”