More than $16 million to be invested in rural roads

Media Release, Sask Govt.

September 12, 2024

Under the Rural Integrated Roads for Growth (RIRG) program, the Ministry of Highways will invest more than $5.3 million toward the projects and rural municipalities (RMs) will fund the remaining $11.5 million this construction season.

"These investments recognize the important role our rural municipal roads play in Saskatchewan's strong and growing export-based economy," Highways Minister Lori Carr said. "They are part of an integrated transportation network that supports our local industries, rural communities and enhances our province's quality of life."

"SARM is pleased to see these projects receive funding assistance," SARM Acting President Bill Huber said. "Rural Saskatchewan has significant transportation infrastructure needs. Many of the goods and resources the province exports originate in our rural municipalities. Improving RM roads pays major economic returns to all of Saskatchewan. SARM looks forward to continued partnership with the Ministry of Highways to administer the Rural Integrated Roads for Growth Program into future."

Projects this year range from clay capping, base and sub-base work, grading and surface strengthening.

• RM of Brock No. 64 - RIRG Allocation - $500,000.00, RM Contribution - $1,000,000.00 , Total - $1,500,000.00
• RM of Hazelwood No. 94 - RIRG Allocation - $500,000.00, RM Contribution - $530,390.00 , Total - $1,030,390.00
• RM of Elcapo No. 154 - RIRG Allocation - $279,326.00, RM Contribution - $279,327.00 , Total - $558,653.00
• RM of Lipton No. 217 - RIRG Allocation - $317,475.00, RM Contribution - $317,475.00 , Total - $634,950.00
• RM of Arm River No. 252 - RIRG Allocation - $395,845.00, RM Contribution - $395,846.00 , Total - $791,691.00
• RM of Insinger No. 275 - RIRG Allocation - $428,472.00, RM Contribution - $428,473.00 , Total - $856,945.00
• RM of Mount Hope No. 279 - RIRG Allocation - $192,023.00, RM Contribution - $192,024.00 , Total - $384,047.00
• RM of Morris No. 312 - RIRG Allocation - $500,000.00, RM Contribution - $518,501.00 , Total - $1,018,501.00
• RM of Lost River No. 313 - RIRG Allocation - $500,000.00, RM Contribution - $839,823.00 , Total - $1,339,823.00
• RM of Lakeside No. 338 - RIRG Allocation - $500,000.00, RM Contribution - $517,726.00 , Total - $1,017,726.00
• RM of Bayne No. 371 - RIRG Allocation - $225,000.00, RM Contribution - $225,000.00 , Total - $450,000.00
• RM of Manitou Lake No. 442 - RIRG Allocation - $500,000.00, RM Contribution - $1,000,000.00 , Total - $1,500,000.00
• RM of Eldon No. 471 - RIRG Allocation - $500,000.00, RM Contribution - $5,300,000.00 , Total - $5,800,000.00
• Totals - RIRG Allocation - $5,338,141.00, RM Contribution - $11,544,585.00 , Total - $16,882,726.00

"The RIRG Grant underscores provincial commitment to improving rural road infrastructure," RM of Eldon No. 471 Reeve Larry Lundquist said. "Funding from this program greatly assists our municipality in managing our most important infrastructure asset - our high-traffic roads."

Administered by SARM, the provincially-funded RIRG program invests in constructing and upgrading RM road infrastructure. RIRG funding is up to 50 per cent per project to a maximum of $500,000 for a road and to a maximum $1 million for a large culvert or bridge. RMs fund the remaining project costs.

RIRG oversight is provided by a Program Management Board made up of members from SARM and the Ministry of Highways.

The Government of Saskatchewan has invested more than $13 billion in transportation infrastructure since 2008 to improve more than 20,700 kilometres of highways across the province.