MELFORT – The City of Melfort has approved an additional $957,381.82 for the Urban Highway Connector Program (UHCP) Rehabilitation Project of Saskatchewan Drive to the 2024 capital budget, $567,757.19 being funded by the Ministry of Highways and $389,624.63 from the city’s reserves.
In April 2024 the Ministry received additional funding to their operations budget to approve projects in 2024. The city was contacted and informed that funding was available for the rehabilitation of 520m of Saskatchewan Drive (identified in blue in the image above).
Lydia Steffen, Director of Public Works said, “Because approval came after the finalization of our 2024 budget it required council approval.”
Steffen told SASKTODAY.ca the rehabilitation has a slightly different scope of work than the one submitted initially in 2023, as the road has increased in cracking. Originally the road called for an asphalt leveling course before the interlayer, but with the extra wear on the road since the condition assessment of 2021. Steffen said delaying the project could result in escalating costs, making it financially impractical in the future.
“Acting now is crucial to ensure its viability and cost-effectiveness. It is important to also highlight that the road's condition is progressively deteriorating, necessitating additional expenditure for rehabilitation purposes.”
The city completed two Expressions of Interests to the Ministry in 2023. Also approved was the Pavement Rehabilitation of Highway 3, 4, and 6 (identified in yellow in the image above). This project falls under Capital Projects for the Ministry and is scheduled for 2027.
“With Council approval and the recent execution of the UHCP contribution agreement, our consultants have transitioned into the detailed design phase of the project. This stage is pivotal as it prepares us for the upcoming tendering process. We anticipate the project to be started and completed in the 2024 construction season,” Steffen said.
