Sask. roadside rest stops to remain open

The Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure is backing off from a decision to close a selection of roadside rest stops on Saskatchewan highways.

Last week, 650 CKOM learned the ministry was closing nine rest stops on the Trans-Canada Highway and highways 7 and 16 due to increased vandalism and health concerns for workers.

Lori Carr, the minister of highways and infrastructure, joined Gormley on Tuesday morning to recommit to the roadside rest stops.

“As you’re fully aware, governments don’t always get things right the first time around,” Carr told 650 CKOM’s John Gormley. “Coming up this week, I’m going to be evaluating the rest stops that we have … Where there’s any value, we will be making them accessible.”

The washrooms will remain closed at the nine rest stops because of a lack of plumbing, while garbage dropoff will remain intact.

Carr added that two of the rest stops that allow large truck traffic will be reopened immediately.

A committee made up of representatives from the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure, SGI, and the Saskatchewan Trucking Association will be established.

“As this group meets, they will flesh out a path forward and discuss what the future of these stops will look like,” Carr said of the incoming committee. “We’ll be engaging with municipalities that they’re located in, and we’ll need to make sure that the truckers and the public are aware of what services do exist along the provincial highways.”

Reversing the closures was welcome news for Saskatchewan Trucking Association executive director Susan Ewart.

“It is definitely, for the trucking industry and obviously public safety, an issue that we have adequate truck parking, places to rest, and obviously that’s a huge part with our trucking industry — that’s their job,” she said.

Ewart is hoping to work closely with the province moving forward as incoming trucking and safety regulations could increase the amount of stops and checks a truck will have to make during a trip.

Ewart favours incorporating more washrooms and parking space at weigh stations.

“We’re not asking the ministry or the Government of Saskatchewan to build us a Flying J or a Husky. We are looking for safe, lit truck parking that can accommodate more than two trucks, and we need washrooms and a place that we can put the garbage and safely get out not on the side of the road,” she said.

Carr said that she has spoken to Minister Responsible for SGI John Hargrave with hopes of getting the incoming committee to identify gaps in the current roadside rest stop network, how to fix them and who can best help with that.

Carr said she has “made it very clear with the officials that (she’s hoping) this work can be done sooner than later.”