REGINA, Sask. — Despite widespread cutbacks and tax increases, the province of Saskatchewan will stay the course in its three-year commitment to infrastructure investment.

This year, $300.3 million will be spent to improve highways, and more than 700 kilometres of highways will be reconstructed or paved.

"Mobility is fundamental to the provincial economy and to the quality of life of Saskatchewan people," Highways and Transportation Minister, Mark Wartman said yesterday following the budget announcement. "Both the public and industry expect and deserve a safe and efficient transportation system. That is why we are focusing on twinning, rebuilding rural highways, repaving our main highways and improving access to Northern Saskatchewan."

The province will continue to twin Hwy. 1 west by 2004, and east by 2012. Hwy. 16 will be twinned by 2010. This year, 27 kilometres of twinned highway will be opened on the national highway system.

About 370 kilometres of rural and primary highways will be resurfaced this year, while 150 kilometres of thin-membrane surface (TMS) roads will be improved. In addition, the Prairie Grain Roads Program will also lead to the paving of five TMS corridors.

"We are building better roads to promote economic and social growth, not only for today, but for future generations," says Wartman.