Saskatchewan Budget Focuses on Highways and Transportation Infrastructure

Saskatchewan Budget Focuses on Highways and Transportation Infrastructure
Friday, April 4, 2008

Finance Minister Rod Gantefoer handed down the first budget of the Government of Saskatchewan, which included record-high spending on highways. Gantefoer says that the $1 billion Ready for Growth Initiative is the first budget of the Saskatchewan Party and the largest infrastructure investment in the history of Saskatchewan; it focuses on ensuring that Saskatchewan enjoys safe roads in order to efficiently deliver goods to various markets worldwide, boost the provincial economy, and achieve sustainable growth.

The $1 billion Ready for Growth Initiative will increase transportation spending to $513 million, the largest Saskatchewan's transportation budget on record. Currently, the Highways and Infrastructure budget is up 15% from last year. Highways and Infrastructure Minister Wayne Elhard acknowledges that Saskatchewan is suffering from an infrastructure deficiency, a problem which has been addressed as a matter of urgency so that Saskatchewan people and goods move freely and safely throughout the province. As such, numerous, important plans, concerning building and repairing roads and highways, are currently underway.

The budget is inclusive of $137.5 million in funding allocated for upgrading thin membrane surface (TMS) highways, increasing access to Primary Weights on rural highways, twinning of Highway 11 between Saskatoon and Prince Albert, and linking Highways 1 and 16. In addition, the budget allocates $202.6 million for maintaining and repairing provincial highways. The budget further allocates $19.4 million for replacing and restoring aging bridges and culverts and another $5 million for helping rural municipalities improve municipal roads affected by truck traffic.

Thanks to Saskatchewan’s flourishing economy, $9.37 billion in revenue has been forecasted for 2008/2009, in turn prompting the government to invest in $8.57 billion in expenditures. Gantefoer concludes that the set budget is well-balanced and includes a $250 million debt reduction to help Saskatchewan be in a better position for many years to come.