Traffic trickling through flooded Trans-Canada

MAPLE CREEK, Sask. — Enough pieces of the flooded stretch of Trans-Canada Highway were put back together to allow traffic to begin flowing across the Alberta-Saskatchewan border again.

Highway 1 was initially closed to traffic on June 19 when water crossed the road and covered about a 5 km segment of the highway that straddled either side of the Saskatchewan-Alberta border. Just one day later, an entire section of the westbound lanes were completely destroyed and a portion of the eastbound passing lanes were severely damaged during the flood.

Infrastructure crews and contractors have been working 24 hours a day on the damaged highway and over the weekend were able to partially open the Trans-Canada Highway. For a 3-km stretch, the highway will operate as a two-lane highway.

Now that the highway is operational, full attention will be put on returning the damaged highway to four lanes. Upon reconstruction of the westbound lanes, traffic will be moved to that side of the highway and permanent repairs to the eastbound lanes will be undertaken.

It could be months before the process is complete.

"We know travelers, truckers and area residents are eager to see normal four-lane service on Highway 1," Saskatchewan Highways and Infrastructure Minister Jim Reiter said. "We will work diligently to fully re-open the Trans-Canada and we thank the public for their patience and understanding."


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