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.

Con-way Freight Awarded Top Safety Honors

Con-way Freight Awarded Top Safety Honors
Sunday, March 30, 2008

Con-way Freight was honored at the Michigan Trucking Association (MTA) Annual Safety Awards, which was held in Lansing in late February. For the second year in a row, the MTA awarded Con-way a fleet safety plaque for Outstanding Achievement in Highway Safety in the General Commodities division in recognition of its exemplary safety record and practices.

Based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Con-way Freight is one of the leading less-than-truckload (LTL) carriers. It offers LTL freight delivery across North America as well as international less-than-container (LCL) ocean Freight delivery from Asia to the United States. Con-way Freight is a subsidiary of Con-way Inc., a $4.7 billion freight transportation and logistics services company.

Walter G. Heinritzi, executive director of the Michigan Trucking Association, said that Con-way Freight has clearly shown an on-going commitment to safety, and the MTA is glad to have the opportunity to honor the company again for its outstanding achievement. On the other hand, John G. Labrie, president of Con-way Freight, said that winning this award for two consecutive years is a living proof that Con-way regards safety as a top priority, and its drivers share this view by adhering strictly to safe driving practices.

Sponsored by the Great West Casualty Company, one of the largest insurers of trucking companies in the United States, the Annual Safety Awards are presented to their respective winners based on certain safety criteria that include covered miles, types of driving, and number of accidents, if any.

The Lansing-Based MTA has been serving Michigan's trucking industry since 1934. It aims at enhancing the trucking industry's image, promoting highway safety, and collecting, maintaining, and distributing information on the trucking industry.