NEWS FROM THE FIELD
Sharing news that SHCA members need to know
Thirty-six RMs to receive road grants
in first year of Rural Integrated
Roads for Growth plan
The provincial government is investing $28 million to improve rural roads
in Saskatchewan rural municipalities (RMs). Thirty-six RMs will receive
funding this year, which will cover up to 50 per cent of total projects’ costs
to a maximum of $500,000. This is the first year of a three-year plan with
Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) to improve
100 rural roads through the Rural Integrated Roads for Growth (RIRG)
program. The program will also provide grants to improve RM bridges.
Details are being worked out and will be announced at a later date.
“Our government is investing in infrastructure that keeps our rural
economies growing and improves safety,” Highways and Infrastructure
Minister Greg Ottenbreit said. “This program supports rural infrastructure
in addition to assisting with the economic recovery from the
COVID-19 pandemic.”
In addition to helping RMs address their infrastructure challenges, the
RIRG program also supports agriculture, energy, forestry and other ruralbased
sectors.
“Many rural areas are in dire need of investments to help alleviate the
stress on their current infrastructure,” said Ray Orb, president of SARM.
“The provincial program helps support the cost of constructing and upgrading
municipal roads, bridges and culverts in rural Saskatchewan.”
“We continue to work with SARM on a plan to address RM bridges and
expect to have details available in the coming weeks,” Ottenbreit said.
Formerly known as the Municipal Roads for the Economy Program,
the RIRG will continue to assist RMs with the costs of constructing and
upgrading municipal roads, bridges and culverts to support growth. One
of the changes is allowing RMs to complete construction projects over
two years.
Some rural road projects have been approved already, so work can begin
this construction season. A second intake for additional projects will
begin soon.
The Government of Saskatchewan has invested more than $9.8 billion
in highways infrastructure since 2008, improving more than 15,500 km of
Saskatchewan highways. Another $300 million in highways stimulus funds
will be invested over the next two years to stimulate Saskatchewan’s economic
recovery.
JOHNY007PAN / 123RF
4 Think BIG | Quarter 3 2020 | saskheavy.ca
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