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Kerrobert-area highway leading “worst roads” survey

Apr 26, 2016 | 5:00 PM

The mayor of Kerrobert is keeping his hopes up that something will soon be done about an area highway that is leading a survey of Saskatchewan’s worst roads.

The annual Canadian Automobile Association “Worst Roads” campaign asks people to submit and vote on highways and roads that are in poor condition, as a way to spotlight the need for repairs. As of April 26, 2016, Highway 51 east of Kerrobert topped the survey.

“You could lose your vehicle along there quite easily,” Mayor Erhard Poggemiller said. He explained that the highway west of the community has been entirely redone, except for a 15 km stretch which is next on the list. But now it’s the section east to Biggar and Saskatoon that requires attention.

“If nobody’s coming your way, a lot of times you spend on the other side of the road just to avoid the potholes, the chuckholes in it,” he said. He explained a lot of traffic that used to travel through Kerrobert, including tour buses, now bypass the area because of the condition of the road. Instead those drivers use Highway 7, an already busy route that connects Saskatoon with Calgary.

The Kerrobert area has been a busy part of the oil patch, which may have contributed to the worn condition of the road. Poggemiller explained it had been built as a “thin-membrane” highway not intended for heavy truck traffic.

But it’s that role in the resource sector that may lead to improvements. Poggemiller has been in touch with Kindersley MLA Bill Boyd, who told him upgrading that highway is being moved ahead in priority.

The updated top ten on CAA’s website also included Highway 376 from Maymont North to Richard; Highway 340 connecting Radisson and Hafford; and Highway 155 at La Loche.

Poggemiller feels the CAA campaign does serve a purpose.

“I guess it draws attention to all the members of the Legislature so that when it does come forward for a budget item, maybe we get a few extra votes,” he said.

Calls made to Boyd were not returned by deadline. 

gsmith@jpbg.ca
Twitter: @smithco