REGINA, Sask. — The Saskatchewan government has invested $800,000 to upgrade Hwy. 339 through a partnership agreement with area municipalities as construction on this transportation link moves ahead.

“Through this agreement, six kilometres of this transportation link will be upgraded, while the bulk of heavy truck traffic will be diverted off Highways 339 and 334, in order to maintain a quality highway for the residents of Briercrest, Avonlea and surrounding area, as well as for tourism traffic to the Claybank Brick Plant National Historic Site and other local attractions,” Highways and Transportation Minister Buckley Belanger said.

Hwy. 339 from the Junction of Hwy. 39 south to Avonlea is a thin membrane surface (TMS) highway designed to carry passenger vehicles and light trucks. High volumes of grain and other heavy truck traffic travel the highway, which has resulted in rough spots and surface breaks.

Under the agreement, the majority of heavy truck traffic has been diverted onto nearby municipal gravel roads designed to carry heavier weights, while the surface on Hwy. 339 will be restored to good driving condition. The municipalities will be compensated by the province for additional wear and tear on their gravel roads.

“The province has truck route management agreements in place with municipalities on 600 km of highway across the province and Hwy. 339 is another great example,” Belanger said. “By working together, we can use the provincial and municipal road systems in a practical, efficient and cost-effective manner to provide better access to local and tourism traffic and to provide access for heavy trucks hauling goods needed to support economic development in the area.”

Six kilometres of Highway 339 near Claybank will be strengthened and resurfaced to a granular pavement to handle the heavy trucks that will still need to access this small portion of the highway, while providing an improved surface for motorists.