A total of $63.3 million worth of highway construction projects have been released as part of Phase 1 of Saskatchewan Highways and Infrastructure's 2008 Tender Release.

Among the projects slated for 2008 are the paving of two sections of Highway 11 including 12.1 kilometres (km) of highway north of Osler to south of Hague, and 11.3 km of highway north of Macdowall to the Junction of Highway 2.

"This government is committed to securing the future prosperity of our province, and we'll do that through investments in highway infrastructure that support economic growth," Highways and Infrastructure Minister Wayne Elhard said. "The projects put forward today are a first step in our commitment to rebuilding Saskatchewan's highways and roads."

Highlights of Phase 1 of the 2008 Tender Release include:

• Rebuilding Highway 368 from thin membrane surface to pavement, south of Lake Lenore to Lake Lenore for a length of 10 km.
• Resurfacing 156 km of highways throughout the province including over 50 km on Highway 1.
• Stockpiling 580,000 tonnes of gravel for spring highway maintenance.

The projects released today represent Phase 1 of the Ministry's 2008 Tender Release. The Phase 2 slate of projects will be released in the New Year while the Phase 3 slate of projects will be released in conjunction with the provincial budget.

"At a time when the heavy construction and road building industry is working near capacity, it is vitally important we move quickly to secure contractors for the upcoming season," Elhard said. "Our commitment to establish a rolling five-year plan for highway construction will go even farther to ensure we can deliver on future projects in a timely manner."