Flooding wreaks havoc on southwest highways

By Ally Paige

Several highways across southwest Saskatchewan are currently seeing the full effects of the drastic temperature change that has swept the province.

In fact, a section of Highway 42 has collapsed due to the flooding.

Steve Shaheen, a senior communications consultant for the Ministry of Highways, explained the biggest factor for the flooding this year is the rapid pace of the melt.

“It’s come at such a rapid pace due to the recent mild temperatures. It kind of sprung up to double-digit temperatures with overnight lows above zero, which has certainly increased the rate of the melt,” he said. “Typically, we see temperatures hovering above zero through March, which allows for that slower melt.”

Shaheen added the Ministry of Highways is working closely with the Water Security Agency to help keep highways safe and open to road users.

“The Water Security Agency are pros at reading out where the runoff is going to occur and they share that information with our crew,” he explained.

“Frontline employees are ready with the equipment and supplies which includes culverts, aggregate, rock or stone for road repairs, bridge replacement components, as well as message boards and barricades and things like that in the event that there’s water over the road or unfortunately in some cases, it actually takes the road out.

“They’re doing their best to keep the roads open and the water clear. That would be through pumping water and keeping the culverts clear. They’re working really hard to ensure that the roads remain open for everybody that uses them.”

The best way for road users to stay up to date with the highway conditions is by monitoring the Highway Hotline.

According to the Hotline, the following locations were affected by flooding Wednesday:

• Highway 4 near Cadillac – flooding about one kilometre in each direction of the junction
• Highway 18 near Highway 628 – flooding in both directions
• Highway 343 near Fergus Bay – flooding about eight kilometres in both directions near Fourth Street
• Highway 363 near Kelstern – flooding in both directions near Main Street
• Highway 363 near Highway 626 – flooding in both directions
• Highway 19 near Highway 42 – flooding about 10 kilometres in both directions
• Highway 42 near Highway 373 – CLOSED – flooding about two kilometres in both directions

“There are potential locations that have been targeted by the Water Security Agency as well as we have some historical experience when it comes to these types of things and certainly, we’re at the ready,” Shaheen continued.

“The best source is the Highway Hotline for motorists to check the for updates and changes to this runoff and what it’s doing to the highway system.”