REGINA, Sask. — Saskatchewan has announced funding to expand development of its ‘Global Transportation Hub.’

Highways and Infrastructure Minister Wayne Elhard announced plans to upgrade and expand Pinkie Road and Dewdney Avenue, to make way for continued development of the Global Transportation Hub.

“Work on Stage 1 of the road upgrades for the GTH will begin this spring in order to ensure the roadway will accommodate anticipated heavy truck traffic,” Elhard said. “Strategic transportation planning is a critical element of Saskatchewan’s strong and steady economic growth, and we need to ensure our future road capacity provides the safest and most efficient routes possible. The GTH development has significant potential. By moving ahead with these roadway improvements, we’ve shown our commitment to the continued strong growth in the province.”

Stage 1 of the GTH roadwork, which involves upgrades to the existing Pinkie Road and RM Grid 730 (Dewdney Ave extension) will cost an estimated $22 million, according to the Ministry. It is considered to be the beginning of the long term plan to build a west bypass that will connect Highways 1 and 11.

The Ministry recently selected the land corridor in which the west bypass will be built. It will run from south to north five km west of Lewvan Drive, and will provide the long-term transportation capacity needed for the estimated 1,400 heavy trucks per week that will move goods to and from the GTH.

The west bypass route was chosen from a group of five possible routes, and was ultimately selected because it affected the fewest number of landowners, states the Ministry.

The remaining stages of the project will span over a period of more than a decade as development in the area grows. The route will ensure the province is ready for the increased traffic growth generated by logistics interests which may be considering operations at the GTH.