LLOYDMINSTER — Construction on an estimated $14 million Highway 17 passing lanes project straddling the Alberta-Saskatchewan Border has been completed.
The inter-provincial project between north of Lloydminster and south of Onion Lake Cree Nation included: five new passing lanes; a culvert installation; two intersection treatments and a grade raise to improve motorists' sightlines near Sandy Beach Lake; along with one other intersection treatment north of the city.
On-site work for the project began in August 2025 with highway construction recently completed. Motorists may notice equipment cleaning up in the highway's ditch and related finishing touches.
The Government of Saskatchewan led the project with the Government of Alberta funding half of the costs, as Highway 17 runs north-south between both provinces.
According to Sask. Highways, passing lanes are a cost-effective way to provide additional opportunities for drivers to pass safely instead of twinning a highway, helping reduce collisions and contributing to more efficient travel.
The Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways is also investing in various other projects in west-central Saskatchewan. Here is a snapshot of some of the completed and ongoing work this construction season:
- Trans-Canada Yellowhead Highway 16 near Maymont – An estimated $4.4 million project will see about 11 kilometres of Highway 16 eastbound lanes resurfaced. The project started July 27 and is expected to be completed by the end of August.
- Trans-Canada Yellowhead Highway 16 near Lashburn – About $6.6 million was allocated to resurface more than 15 kilometres of Highway 16 eastbound lanes east of the Lashburn access to the Marshall access. Work began in spring of 2026 and is completed.
- Highway 51 near Biggar – An estimated $15.9 million will be allocated to complete the subgrade construction on Highway 51 in the vicinity of Biggar. The project stretches from the junction of Highway 51 and Highway 4 to about 24 km west. Construction started in 2025 and is expected to be completed in the fall of 2026. The surfacing structure for this roadway will be a separate contract to be started in 2027.
- Highway 312 near Wakaw – The estimated $2 million project included 100 metres of resurfacing following work to repair and stabilize a sloped area slumping on Highway 312 about 12 km west of its east junction with Highway 2. Construction started this spring and completed in June.
- Petrofka Bridge east of the Battlefords – An estimated $350,000 in repair work on Highway 12 over this North Saskatchewan River crossing is expected to begin later this month and be completed late this fall. Traffic will be reduced to a single, 3.5-metre-wide lane during construction. Truck loads will be restricted during phases of the work.
- An estimated $12 million is expected to be allocated this year toward routine maintenance in west-central Saskatchewan, an area encompassing north around Lloydminster along the Alberta-Saskatchewan border, east to around the Borden and Beechy areas and south to around the Kyle, Kindersley and Marengo areas. This work includes short-term projects, typically completed within one to two days, such as road surface patching, gravel blading, dust control, crack sealing, surface sand sealing and other minor pavement repairs.
Drivers are encouraged to check the Highway Hotline for the latest available information about ongoing provincial road construction to plan their routes.
The Highway Hotline also provides information about closures related to fires, flooding or other incidents, along with the status of ferries.
To learn more about the Highway Hotline's various points of access for information, visit: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/transportation/highways/highway-hotline.
With this year's budget, the Government of Saskatchewan has invested more than $14.6 billion in transportation infrastructure since 2008, improving more than 22,700 kilometres of highways across the province.
