Rural Infrastructure Receives $14 Million Boost
The Government of Saskatchewan is investing $14 million to improve rural roads, bridges and culverts throughout Saskatchewan.
The Municipal Roads for the Economy Program (MREP) provides funding for municipal roads impacted by increased truck traffic, as well as bridge and culvert projects.
“The rural municipal road system plays an important part in getting our exports to market.” Highways and Infrastructure Minister David Marit said. “Our investment in MREP supports municipalities and plays an important part in keeping our economy strong.”
MREP is administered by the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM). Grants cover up to 50 per cent of the costs of road projects and 30 to 90 per cent of the costs of bridge and culvert projects. Eleven rural Municipalities will be receiving grants this year. Funding for the program remains the same as last year.
The Clearing the Path (CTP) corridors will receive a significant portion of this year’s program grants. This year, $6.6 million dollars will be invested in its operation and maintenance. The CTP provides rural communities with access to primary weight roads in order to help facilitate economic development.
“We appreciate the government's continued support for rural Saskatchewan,” SARM President Ray Orb said. “Saskatchewan's growth is fueled by resource exports and MREP ensures money is invested back into the rural transportation system that supports those exports.”
Highlights of the 2018 MREP grants include:
- Five bridge and culvert projects worth $2.89 million;
- Six heavy haul high volume road construction projects worth $3.5 million; and
- One Clearing the Path road construction project worth $750,000.
The Government of Saskatchewan has invested $271.35 million in rural infrastructure through MREP since 2008, over and above municipal revenue sharing.