The Government of Saskatchewan is continuing to invest in the improvement of rural roads through its Rural Integrated Roads for Growth (RIRG) program. Phase three, taking place during the 2021. . .
The ministry has seen an engaged and enthusiastic response to the RIRG program, Highways Minister Fred Bradshaw said. This targeted effort improves the safety and quality of our rural infrastructure, strengthens partnerships with Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities … and creates another outlet to aid the province s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the RMs to receive funding are: Mount Pleasant, $130,850; Coalfields, $500,000; Cambria, $173,000; Reciprocity, $380,263; Browning, $500,000; Cymri, $500,000; and Moose Mountain, $400,000. This program helps RMs with the cost of constructing and upgrading their infrastructure, which in turn helps support local industries like agriculture, energy and forestry. The RIRG grants cover up to 50 per cent of each project s total cost, to a maximum of $500,000.
The RM of LeRoy is receiving $272,525, which will be used to replace two large bridges with culverts on the LeRoy access road to Highway 6. “The bridges were in bad condition and [weight] restricted recently, so the funding will be well received,” said Wendy Gowda, the RM’s administrator. “There’s people that are pretty anxious that the road be put back to full weight, so they’ll be really happy to hear that there’s a plan.” As a result of the weight restriction, Gowda said even small agriculture loads have had to detour around the bridge. “We don’t have the agreements yet. We’re hoping the agreements will be in place and a design can be done, but realistically it could be a 2022 project by the time we get the paperwork and everything in order.”
The bridge has been weight restricted to ten tons since 2020. Cherie Hudon, the RM’s administrator, said that since the weight restriction was added they’ve been receiving complaints. “We’re very happy to receive this funding, without this funding I’m not sure how long that bridge would be out, probably for quite some time,” Hudon said. “Something of that stature is very expensive to replace.” The RM is hopeful that work can start within 2021, but a timeline has yet to be set. The RM of Star City is receiving $500,000, which will be spent on clay capping two different routes.