Speed changes made on Highway 11 at Rosthern

By Nigel Maxwell

Anyone who has made the drive in recent weeks from Prince Albert to Saskatoon may have noticed a sudden need to slow down at Rosthern.

New signage advises drivers on Highway 11 they have to slow from 110 kilometres per hour to 90 km/h as they pass the community.

Mayor Keith Helmuth says the measure was not something council had not been advocating for, but adds collectively they are in favour of the change and specifically how it impacts eastbound and westbound traffic coming off Highway 312.

“It’s just an extremely busy corner so I guess the theory is if speed is reduced, people have a little more reaction time,” he said.

On the east side of the highway are a number of new businesses. Helmuth advised he is aware of more than a few close calls.

“I wouldn’t have any statistics for it, but it’s a very high-risk intersection,” he explained, adding in the future there are plans for more developments on the northeast corner including a new restaurant. “So traffic patterns are only going to get more demanding.”

Helmuth also noted the town has been advised of more highway improvements to come, in the form of new acceleration lanes.