After floods damaged the westbound lanes of the Trans-Canada Highway near Maple Creek in June, reconstruction will begin in September.
The highway was closed on June 19 when water crossed the road. Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure had two-lane service restored in the eastbound lanes on June 26.
“Keeping the Trans-Canada open for traffic has been one of our top priorities, since it’s critical to the safe and efficient movement of goods and services that the province depends on,” Minister Jim Reiter said in a statement.
Up next for crews is getting long-term repairs done. Reiter said designs were recently completed. Usually plans take up to a year to complete, but due to the importance of rebuilding the highway, the designs were accelerated.
When construction begins in September a new arch culvert will be installed. It will be able to handle a larger volume of water than the original two culverts. Water would be prevented from flowing over the highway.
If the same type of flooding were to occur again, Highway 1 would stay open to traffic.
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