NDP Raises State Of Northern Roads

NDP Raises State Of Northern Roads

Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at 14:55

 

 

The MLA for Athabasca says the current condition of northern roads is the direct result of the Saskatchewan Party’s “neglect and disrespect” for northern Saskatchewan.

 

Buckley Belanger maintains the current government has not done any northern highway improvement projects at all in the nearly three years it has been in office.

 

Belanger adds the previous NDP government’s $65.5-million northern roads strategy would have gone a long way to addressing some of the highways that are in tough shape today.

 

He says the access roads to Dillon, Jans Bay and Cumberland House are in really bad condition right now — adding he recently had to take his vehicle in for repairs after travelling one of those routes.

 

Highway Minister Jim Reiter says the New Democrats had 16 years to make improvements, but didn’t.

 

Reiter says his government has increased its northern road budget by 7% this year — and spent well over $100 million in that area over its time in power.

 

He says the province can’t address all the highway needs it wants to — but is putting more money into northern road maintenance.

 

Reiter also says his government has identified northern road improvement as a way to tap the region’s economic potential, and is urging northerners to remain patient.