ROAD WORK WINDS UP
Another Sask. construction season nearly over.
The Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure is calling this year’s road construction season a success.
And with winter approaching, the ministry estimates that two-thirds of scheduled work has been completed this season.
“As you know, the construction season in Saskatchewan is pretty short because of our weather. And, we were blessed with a very good fall,” Minister Nancy Heppner said on Wednesday.
This season, the ministry had $842 million budgeted, but the final tally on how much was spent will be determined once construction work ends, said Heppner. She added the amount spent will be less than what was budgeted.
“We won’t know exactly how much was spent until all the contracts have wrapped up and we know exactly what was completed. Every year, there are some projects that don’t get done ... there’s delays in those,” she said.
As of Sept. 30, construction work included 52 bridge replacement and culvert projects, as well as repaved or upgraded 370 km of highway and performed maintenance on an additional 435 km. A ministry spokesman said about 115 km of work is left to do this construction season.
Heppner cited some highlights of the construction season, such as paving and grading on Highways 21 and 51, as well as paving on the Trans-Canada Highway near Swift Current.
Next construction season, twinning work on Highway 7 is set to continue, as is work on the Regina Bypass.
In September 2014, a consultant report stated that “in a typical year” 40 per cent of construction projects are delayed, which is two to three times higher than other jurisdictions.
Heppner said a committee was formed to look at delays.
“It’s been an issue within the ministry ... We’ve made some progress. The last update that I’ve seen is about two-thirds completion for this year, which is better than we have done in past years,” she said.
Heppner explained the ministry has improved delays by centralizing its contract office.
“There was work that was done within regions and it wasn’t always uniform across the province; so there is some better oversight,” she said.
“(And), we often face weather delays. We’ve had some very rainy weather the last few years and, so, it’s nothing the contractors have done or any problems within the ministry, but weather has played a big part of that in the last few years,” Heppner said.