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Old Posted Mar 5, 2009, 2:28 AM
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Provincial, federal governments share Highway 11 twinning costs
The StarPhoenix.com February 27, 2009 Comments (14)

SASKATOON — It’s a case of subtraction by addition that should equal a big plus for Saskatchewan. The twinning of Highway 11 between Saskatoon and Prince Albert is now slated to be completed in 2012 — four years earlier than originally scheduled — thanks to $62 million in federal funding announced by Prime Minister Stephen Harper Friday that will be matched by the province, which had been carrying the full load of the project.

The province has long sought federal support for the twinning and Premier Brad Wall, whose once-strong relationship with Harper has appeared somewhat strained lately over issues such as the federal budget, offered a heartfelt thanks to the PM as they made the announcement at the provincial Highways Ministry repair depot in Saskatoon.

“Today’s announcement is not simply about twinning a highway or the jobs that go with it. It is about where we’re headed as a country. As the world struggles with the effects of the global recession, we as Canadians are looking ahead,” said Harper.

The project is seen as important to resource development in the north, with Wall, who has been on a full-court press boosting the prospects for nuclear industry development in Saskatchewan, citing northern uranium mines as a likely major beneficiary of the twinning.

But the premier said it’s also important for safety reasons, noting he has often driven that stretch of road himself to go camping with his family. Lakes in northern Saskatchewan are among the most popular in the province.

“I think I speak for a lot of people from Saskatchewan when I say your knuckles turn a particular shade of white sometimes when you’re on that highway,” said Wall.

From Saskatoon, the highway has been twinned to Hague, leaving 75 kilometres that need to be twinned. Between 2003 and 2007, there were 883 collisions, 308 persons injured and 17 people killed.

The infrastructure spending comes from the federal Building Canada fund and is part of stimulus efforts to kick start the recession-battered Canadian economy.

Said Harper: “Our government is seizing the opportunities that will help get us through tough times and ensures that Canada emerges stronger than ever.”

jwood@sp.canwest.com
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