Proceeds from photo radar pay for Sask. traffic projects

A total of 27 traffic safety projects in Saskatchewan will go ahead thanks to the proceeds from photo speed enforcement (PSE).

In a media release Monday, the provincial government announced it has awarded $498,732 in Provincial Traffic Safety Fund grants to the projects, which cover things from intersection and crosswalk improvements to speed display signs to speed-reduction initiatives.

The grants range from $2,500 to $100,000.

“These initiatives will contribute to safer roads across Saskatchewan,” Minister Responsible for SGI Joe Hargrave said in the release. “The goal of photo speed enforcement has always been to improve traffic safety. PSE reduces speed-related collisions where it takes place and, through these grants, now supports improvements to traffic safety in many other locations throughout the province as well.”

Applications for the grants were evaluated by representatives from the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association, the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities, the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, the Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure, and SGI.

Among the communities which received the largest payments were Swift Current ($100,000 for intersection construction, signage and other projects), the Onion Lake First Nation ($56,104 for traffic signs plan and installation), Prince Albert ($50,000 for a raised crosswalk in a school zone as well as a speed display sign), Saskatoon ($45,000 for an active pedestrian corridor) and Estevan ($36,000 for intersection safety improvements).

Many of the projects feature the installation of speed reduction tools, including cardboard cutouts of police officers — the so-called “Const. Scarecrow” — in Lloydminster.

A complete list can be found here.

The grants are awarded twice a year. Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted starting July 1.