FEATURE
A busy season ahead for
road builders, but quick
procurement process needed
By WMartin Charlton Communications
hen it rains, it pours.
The Saskatchewan Heavy Construction
Association, instead, would prefer a steady and
long-lasting shower to aid in the growth of the province. As the people of
Saskatchewan are well aware, anything is better than a drought.
The short-term forecast calls for a potential flooding of the market
thanks in large part to the recent announcement from the Saskatchewan
Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure that tenders for upcoming projects
reached a record $437.4 million in highway work. That’s the largest
total in Saskatchewan history.
Shantel Lipp, president of the SHCA, was thrilled to hear the news.
She says the provincial government deserves praise for delivering an early
schedule and for its willingness to work with industry to deliver the
work set to come out this year. She feels it’s a result of her association’s
lobbying have the tender schedule released as early as possible.
However, there’s cautious optimism with this inflated tender schedule.
“Clearly, the government understands the importance of kickstarting
the economy after it took a massive blow earlier in the year from the
COVID-19 stimulus package,” said Lipp. “Our industry plays a major role
in the restart of the economy.
thinkbigmagazine.ca | Quarter 4 2020 | Think BIG 17
/thinkbigmagazine.ca