‘I don’t think it’s very safe’: Highway 8 near Moosomin dubbed worst in Sask.

There’s a new worst road in Saskatchewan this year.

According to the annual “Worst Roads” survey from CAA, Highway 8 going north from Moosomin to Rocanville has been deemed the worst stretch of road in this province. Last year’s winner, Highway 44 near Eston, didn’t make the list in 2024.

“It’s developed holes, and I mean deep holes,” said Larry Tomlinson, mayor of Moosomin, after learning his community is home to the worst road in the province.

“It’s actually got dangerous, really. There is a lot of traffic over it, and we’ve got a mine that employs about 1,000 people, and people have to go over it.”

Tomlinson said the issues on that highway became worse over the winter.

“It started to fall apart,” the mayor said.

“The holes are terrible.”

Tomlinson suggested that at least 30 to 40 per cent of people who work at the Nutrien potash mine north of Rocanville use the stretch of road every day. According to Tomlinson, all the provincial government has done in the last several years is patch the potholes. He said he doesn’t remember when the last time it was paved.

Because of the danger the road poses, Tomlinson said the province actually had to lower the speed limit to 80 kilometres per hour a few months ago to try and make it safer for drivers.

Tomlinson said he wants to see the road fixed properly.

“At this point and time, I don’t think it’s very safe,” he stated. “I think (the province) needs to do something more than just patching the holes. It needs to be torn down and paved. Their answer was to reduce the speed, which does nothing for it.”

There is some work happening in that area this year, but not the permanent fix Tomlinson was looking for.

According to the Ministry of Highways in a statement to 650 CKOM, that highway has been identified as a priority and is part of the ministry’s five-year capital plan.

“As weather and seasonal conditions allow, the Ministry of Highways will preform ongoing maintenance to this segment of Highway 8 until the reconstruction project occurs,” the statement read.

The ministry also noted construction on a 14.6-kilometre stretch of Highway 8 running from Rocanville to the Nutrien mine is expected to begin later this year as part of an improvement project. The project is expected to cost $15.1 million and is the hope is that it’ll be completed before the end of the year.

“With the most recent budget, the Government of Saskatchewan has invested more than $13 billion in transportation infrastructure since 2008, to improve more than 20,700 kilometres of highways across the province,” the ministry added.

The ministry said it appreciates the work that goes into the CAA survey, but must consider a variety of factors when making investment decisions, including safety, traffic volume, truck traffic, impact on the economy, projected growth, sustainability and partnerships.

Of the 10 worst roads identified by CAA in 2024, five have appeared on previous lists.

According to the survey, the worst roads in the province are:

1. Saskatchewan 8, Moosomin. (Potholes)
2. Saskatchewan 5, Buchanan. (Poor road maintenance) (Ranked No. 4 in 2023 and No. 5 in 2022)
3. Saskatchewan 2, Cudworth. (Potholes)
4. Saskatchewan 22, Cupar. (Potholes)
5. Coteau Street West, Moose Jaw. (Potholes) (Tied at No. 2 in 2023)
6. 4 Avenue Viaduct Southwest, Moose Jaw. (Potholes) (Ranked No. 7 in 2022)
7. Saskatchewan 22, Markinch. (Potholes)
8. Tie: Saskatchewan 9, Whitewood. (Poor road maintenance) (Ranked No. 6 in 2023), Saskatchewan 47, Springside. (Potholes) (Ranked No. 2 in 2022 and 2018)
9. 13 Avenue Northwest, Moose Jaw. (Potholes) (Ranked No. 4 in 2019)
10. 4 Avenue Southwest Moose Jaw. (Potholes)

CAA said the results of the survey will be shared with government and business leaders with the hope of sparking conversation and action.