The RMs of Three Lakes and Usborne are among the couple dozen that will receive the benefits of a $13 million cash injection from the provincial government for road improvements. A provincial government release states that more than 31 municipalities and communities are set to receive $13 million through the Rural Integrated Roads for Growth (RIRG) program to address 34 projects.
The RIRG program has been a successful partnership program with the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) for many years," Highways Minister Jeremy Cockrill said. "These investments in rural economies promote growth and prioritizes the safety and quality of roads and bridges in rural Saskatchewan."
The province is dependent on rural roads for shipping goods and maintaining healthy agriculture, energy and forestry sectors. Key local projects are funded to the tune of 50 percent of the cost to a maximum of $500 million.
"Rural municipalities maintain local infrastructure, which is supporting Saskatchewan's rural-based industries and the provincial economy," SARM President Ray Orb said. "The RIRG program provides financial support for rural roads which is important for our municipalities."
The province will commit $13 million for a total of $47 million in estimated road, bridge and culvert project costs.
As part of the funding package, the RM of Usborne which includes connecting road Highway 668 from Watrous to the number 16 highway, will receive the maximum half-million dollar allowance. The RM of Three Lakes is slated to receive $306,614.