YORKTON, Sask. — Plans are underway in Saskatchewan’s Yorkton area to build an access road and Highway 16 truck route to make way for continued economic development.

"Work on an access road to the new canola processing plant on the west side of Yorkton, along with a plan to reposition a portion of Highway 16 near the access point, will begin in the next few weeks," Highways and Infrastructure Minister Wayne Elhard said.

"Strategic transportation planning is a critical element of Saskatchewan’s strong and steady economic growth and we need to ensure our future road capacity provides the safest and most efficient routes possible. The Yorkton West Truck Route will provide much needed trucking capacity to ensure Yorkton’s economy continues to thrive and grow."

The first stage of the roadwork involves moving a portion of Highway 16 approximately 400 metres south of the current route. This work will begin immediately in order to accommodate truck movement in and out of the canola crushing plant slated for opening in 2010. The estimated cost of these improvements is $9.3 million.

The second stage will include choosing one of two proposed routes connecting Highways 16 and 10.

The ministry will meet with area landowners in the next month to discuss the two proposed routes. It will also be working closely with the RM of Orkney and the City of Yorkton to choose the route based on several criteria, including safety, cost, and environmental and landowner impacts.

Once the route has been selected, construction on the north portion between Highways 16 and 52 will begin. It is anticipated this work will begin in late fall 2009 or spring 2010.