Premier Scott Moe announced important funding for rural municipalities at the annual SARM convention on Wednesday.
Premier Moe says the province will advance 11.2 million dollars in economic stimulus funds for the Rural Integrated Roads for Growth program.
The funds provide a head start on getting projects approved for the 2021 building season.
With the additional dollars, Premier Moe says the government is contributing more than 39 million dollars to the program this year.
Moe says the Rural Roads for Growth program is an important component for the province to re-build 100 roads over the next 3 years and 100 bridges over the next four years.
Through the first 2 phases of funding, he says 89 road projects and 45 bridge projects have been approved, receiving nearly 38 million dollars in support.
Several of the bridge projects are still going through the federal approval process.
The province is improving more than one thousand kilometers of provincial highways this year, the first of its 10 year growth plan to build and upgrade 10 thousand kilometers of highways.
Another 300 million dollars in highways funding is being invested over 2 years in thin membrane surface upgrades, passing lanes and improvements to municipal roads and airports.
At the SARM convention, Premier Moe also announced 2 million dollars over 2 years in funding to expand channel clearing for RM’s across the province.
Moe says increased funding for water management in rural communities will help protect essential infrastructure and help farmers expand the economy.
He says the 600 thousand dollar budget will grow by 500 thousand dollars this year and another 1.5 million dollars next year.
Channel clearing involves removing beaver dams, debris, trees and shrubs and silt from natural channels to avoid flooding and erosion problems.
SARM president Ray Orb welcomes the additional support for rural roads and channel clearing, particularly as spring approaches.
Premier Moe also announced a plan for 230 clinics across rural Saskatchewan to ensure timely delivery of coronavirus vaccines.
(CKRM)
