Rosthern, Borden, Aberdeen and Saskatoon, as well as Beardy’s & Okemasis and One Arrow First Nations, are among area communities receiving provincial Traffic Safety Fund grants for road safety initiatives.
A total of 112 projects ranging from digital speed signs to speed bumps and sidewalks have been approved in 108 rural, urban, and Indigenous communities across the province.
The grants range from $400 to $68,909 and have gone to communities from Eastend to Nipawin. In total, $1.4 million is being spent to improve traffic safety.
The Town of Aberdeen is receiving $17,068 for traffic calming measures.
Beardy’s & Okemasis First Nation has been allocated a grant of $8,382 from the fund for speed management on Highway 212, the main artery that runs through the reserve.
The Village of Borden will receive $7,613 for its ‘2nd Avenue Slow Down’ project.
The Town of Rosthern is focusing on speed reduction measures, thanks to its grant of $7,322.
The City of Saskatoon has been allocated $17,893 for the McKercher Drive and Edinburgh Place Active Pedestrian Corridor.
One Arrow First Nation is receiving $19,497 for lighting to decrease traffic collisions and reduce other traffic violations.
“The Provincial Traffic Safety Fund continues to benefit Saskatchewan people and fund projects that enhance safety on our streets and highways, in school zones and intersections,” Minister Responsible for SGI Don Morgan said. “Congratulations and thanks to the successful applicants for taking this initiative – the work you do will help reduce traffic collisions, injuries and fatalities in the province.”
Twice each year, the Provincial Traffic Safety Fund grants are awarded to communities, using a portion of the proceeds from photo speed enforcement (PSE) locations in the province. Since the Provincial Traffic Safety Fund was established, there have been a total of 309 initiatives funded totalling more than $3.6 million.
Traffic safety initiatives (including projects, equipment, programs and public awareness) must focus on one of the specified priority areas, including speeding, impaired driving, distracted driving, occupant protection and intersection safety.
Applications are evaluated by the PSE Committee, which is made up of representatives from the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association, the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities, the Prince Albert Grand Council, the Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Highways and SGI.
Applicants must include a well-defined action plan, as well as specific, measurable traffic safety objectives and evidence-based information.
The PSE Committee will start accepting applications for the next round of Traffic Safety Fund grants on July 1, 2021.The deadline for applications is September 30, 2021.