A major improvement is coming to Highway 102. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

upgrade

Major $28 million enhancement for Highway 102 near La Ronge

Nov 30, 2023 | 3:00 PM

A $28 million Highway 102 upgrade project expected to begin in the spring of 2024 will have a substantial impact to the economy in northern Saskatchewan.

That’s according to La Ronge Mayor Joe Hordyski and Lac La Ronge Indian Band Coun. Devin Bernatchez, who both expressed excitement when asked about their reaction to the announcement. An email to larongeNOW from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways stated the project aims to enhance 25 kilometers of Highway 102, as well as an access road at Sucker River.

The upgrade will involve reinforcing the subgrade beneath the road’s surface, followed by paving with asphalt. The email notes the existing road is a thin membrane surface highway, adding the new road will have new pavement, which will eliminate the existing rutting and potholes and give the travelling public a smoother ride.

The project is targeted for completion by the end of 2025, pending weather and contractor progress.

“That’s good news. It’s going to help the tourism industry, it’s going to help people get back and forth to work. There are some people who travel down that road quite often,” Hordyski said.

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“It’s been a challenge for years to try and maintain. That’s why they have to redo the subbase because it’s got to the point where they just can’t resurface the road.”

Hordyski explained the project will be an inconvenience while the work is being done, but it will be worth it when it is completed. He said because there are no detours for traffic, the road will be built one side at a time in sections reducing traffic flow to one lane.

Bernatchez, who is the band councillor for Sucker River, believes the upgrade will also benefit communities like Grandmother’s Bay, Stanley Mission, and Southend.

“Roads are the heart of all development and this will improve access to services and economic opportunities for community members. It will probably offer some direct labour and skills development opportunities, so we are excited about it,” he said.

“It will help out with our local economy too. We just built a new store in Sucker River. We are planning on building a restaurant addition into our store.”

Bernatchez also mentioned the road has become unsafe and that is concerning since so many students need to travel between Sucker River and La Ronge for school. He said areas of the road have become so worn and full of potholes, that it’s possible to be thrown off the road if drivers aren’t careful. Bernatchez noted the band and others have been petition the government for improvement on the highway for years.

“The road changes the physical environment, so people will like to come to Sucker River now and maybe shop at our store,” he said.

“People will want to come from La Ronge to Sucker River to explore some of our other things we have like our beach, our trails. It will help with tourism as well, which helps the local economy.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com