REGINA, Sask. — Saskatchewan’s provincial government is allocating an additional $25 million to assist Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation to repair flood and moisture-related damage to the provincial highway system.

“Flooding and excessive moisture in many parts of the province, combined with the mild winter created many challenges on the provincial highway system this past spring,” stated Eldon Lautermilch, Minister of Highways and Transportation.

Lautermilch reported that to date, $94 million in major construction projects are underway or in contract and department crews and contractors have completed more than $27 million worth of maintenance and preservation work.

“To sustain this progress, the provincial government has approved an additional $25 million for Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation,” Lautermilch said. “This will assist the department in dealing with unforeseen costs arising from the spring moisture condition and inflationary pressures.”

The $25 million in new funding is in addition to the 2006-07 Highways and Transportation budget of $345 million, which is the largest highways budget in the province’s history. This includes a planned $133 million on 103 major highway and bridge improvements and an additional $145 million is planned on smaller highway and bridge improvements, surface maintenance and other traffic safety activities like snow and ice control, mowing, signing and pavement striping and transport compliance.

“The provincial government understands the need for a comprehensive strategy to guide development of the transportation system over the long term,” Lautermilch said.