The Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure (MHI) is studying possible locations for three sets of passing lanes on Highway 12 between Martensville and the intersection with Highway 312.
A similar study is also underway to determine locations for two sets of passing lanes on Highway 14 between Saskatoon and Asquith.
Background material tabled at the RM of Corman Park Council meeting on Monday, August 17 from Associated Engineering outlines the current suggested locations for the passing lanes. Corman Park Council was requested to provide feedback on locations within the RM’s boundaries.
The design study is expected to be completed in September, 2020.
According to the document, the passing lanes are part of the MHI Safety Improvement Plan. Associated Engineering was contracted by MHI to prepare a concept design plan for the passing lanes.
The document states the preliminary location of the first set of passing lanes on Highway 12 would be between Highway 305 and the Neuhorst Access road. The northbound passing lanes are projected to start just north of Township Road 392 (Powerline Road) and end 160 meters south of Township Road 393.
The southbound lanes would start 200 meters north of the Township Road 394 intersection and end 500 meters south of Township Road 400 (Neuhorst Access road).
The second location for Highway 12 northbound passing lanes is proposed to begin 300 meters north of Township Road 400 and end just before Township Road 402 (the boundary with the RM of Laird).
The southbound passing lanes would end 300 meters south of the Gruenthal access intersection.
A third set of Highway 12 northbound passing lanes would start 400 meters north of the Gruenthal access road, while the southbound passing lanes would be just north of that location.
Corman Park councillors felt the first set of Highway 12 passing lanes were too far south. The proposed passing lanes are only a short distance north of the point where Highway 12 becomes a divided highway.
Councillors also felt the proposed location posed challenges for local traffic entering the highway. Council agreed to send a letter to MHI asking for specific reasons why the location was chosen, and suggesting it be moved further north.
The Highway 14 westbound passing lanes are suggested to start just west of Saskatoon. Currently, traffic is “platooned” as a result of the traffic lights at the intersection of 22nd Street and the Dalmeny Access Road. The passing lanes would help alleviate that congestion.
The Highway 14 eastbound passing lanes would be located east of Grandora between the CPR railway crossing and the Cameron Hill Road.