The Saskatchewan Government and the Rural Municipality of Frenchman Butte have reached a $19 million partnership agreement to improve Highway 21 and the Frenchman Butte Access. The Ministry of Highways will be responsible for tendering, engineering and constructing about 26 kilometres of Highway 21, as well as 8 km of the Frenchman Butte Access.

Design is scheduled is to begin later this year with crushing set for this winter. Construction is slated to begin in 2020. Greg Ottenbreit, Minister of Highways and Infrastructure, is pleased to see the agreement benefit the RM and surrounding communities.

“We can accomplish more when we work together in partnership with municipal governments,” says Ottenbreit “This agreement with the RM of Frenchman Butte will result in an upgrade of Highway 21 from Highway 3 to the north end of the municipality.”

Bonnie Mills Midgley, reeve of the RM of Frenchman Butte No. 501 also voiced her excitement for the agreement, underlining the importance of well-maintained infrastructure.

“These roads are crucial to residents, recreation, tourism and industry,” says Mills Midgley. “We are extremely pleased with this partnership with the Government of Saskatchewan to improve this highway and the access road.”

Both highways will continue to be maintained by Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure. A weekly highway construction update is published on the Government of Saskatchewan’s website to give the public the latest details on projects underway.