Highway 16 passing lanes promise to provide safety, increase in economic activity; province says
The passing lanes through Highway 16 from the Manitoba border to Clavet are officially open.
The Ministry of Highways held a ribbon cutting in the parking lot of Richardson Oilseeds in Yorkton Thursday to mark the occasion.
According to Minister responsible, Jeremy Cockrill, 26 lanes were created during construction, with the project’s cost totalling $50 million.
The lanes, Cockrill added, will allow for more of an economic boost for Yorkton itself, as more industry continues to come into the community — and the lanes will also help for the general public.
“There’s some really exciting things happening in Yorkton and we know as economic activity increases there’s going to be more truck traffic,” he told CTV News Thursday.
“There’s also a lot of great lakes in this area, whether its good spirit or crystal lake, we want to make sure people are travelling safely, whether they’re hauling canola or whether they’re going camping for the weekend.”
Yorkton MLA Greg Ottenbreit echoed Cockrill’s comments.
“Any infrastructure enhancement we see in the area is obviously a benefit,” he explained.
“But when we look at the economic development, the economics coming to the Yorkton area — one of the largest trading areas in the province — it’s really important we counter that economic impact with infrastructure investment to make sure we can handle the traffic safely and effectively.”
Passing lanes are typically a minimum of two kilometres in length, and it allows drivers the chance to pass slowly moving vehicles – safely.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Economists say temporary tax cut, relief cheques play into rosier growth picture
The federal government's 'meaty' move to pause federal sales tax on a long list of items and send cheques to millions of Canadians this spring could factor into an improving outlook for growth in 2025, economists say.
NATO and Ukraine to hold emergency talks after Russia's attack with new hypersonic missile
NATO and Ukraine will hold emergency talks Tuesday after Russia attacked a central city with an experimental, hypersonic ballistic missile that escalated the nearly 33-month-old war.
Senior killed in dog attack in northern Ont.
An 81-year-old was killed in a dog attack this week in Bonfield, Ont. Police believe three dogs were involved.
Tracking respiratory viruses in Canada: RSV, influenza, COVID-19
As the country heads into the worst time of year for respiratory infections, the Canadian respiratory virus surveillance report tracks how prevalent certain viruses are each week and how the trends are changing week to week.
Trump chooses Pam Bondi for attorney general pick after Gaetz withdraws
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump on Thursday named Pam Bondi, the former attorney general of Florida, to be U.S. attorney general just hours after his other choice, Matt Gaetz, withdrew his name from consideration.
Britain forked out US$91 million for King Charles' coronation in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis
The coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla held in May last year cost British taxpayers £72 million (US$91 million), an amount some have labeled excessive.
Son of Norway's crown princess accused of second rape
The 27-year-old son of Norway’s crown princess has been accused of a second rape just days after he was arrested on suspicion of the same offence.
Woman accused in drowning of girl at Alberta lake had been under house arrest
A bail hearing has heard that a woman accused in the drowning death of a five-year-old girl in an Alberta lake didn't know the child and was supposed to be under house arrest.
Decision expected today in trial for Convoy protester Pat King
A judge is expected to issue a decision this morning in the criminal case against one of the most prominent figures of the 2022 'Freedom Convoy' in Ottawa.