Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure (Saskatchewan)


The Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure is divided into the Operations, Policy and Programs, and Corporate Services Divisions and the Communications Branch. The ministry is the employer of over 1,476 employees diversified amongst 105 communities in Saskatchewan. The current Minister of Highways and Infrastructure is Greg Ottenbreit.

Operations Division

The Operation Division has the responsibility of maintaining of asphalt concrete pavements, of granular pavements, of thin membrane surface highways, of gravel highways, km of ice roads, bridges, large culverts, 12 ferries, one barge and 17 northern airports. Operational maintenance includes surface repair activities like crack filling, sealing, and patching; snow and ice control; pavement marking; signing; and ferry operations. Along with engineering, construction and design of the provincial road network, the operations division provides regulations, inspections and advice to the rural municipalities for the municipal road network.

Ferries

All ferries in Saskatchewan are operated by the Government of Saskatchewan and, with the exception of the Wollaston Barge Ferry, are toll free. All are seasonal, with ferries generally operating from mid April to mid November, depending on ice conditions. The ferries operated include:
The Policy and Programs Division works with other legislative and regulatory agencies to ensure an optimal transportation network is provided via road, rail, air, and marine.

Corporate Services Division

Corporate Services Division is responsible for the budgeting, finances, and forecasting for the needs of the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure.

Communications Branch

The Communications Branch of the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure maintains the news releases, safety awareness and education programs.

Transport Compliance Branch

Transport Compliance Branch maintains the Saskatchewan Highway Patrol. The 14 detachments operate six border and seven interior weigh stations, three 24-hour self-weigh decks and one Mobile Vehicle Inspection Station. The head office regulates their operations in compliance with the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance and the Canadian Council Motor Transport Administrators.

Area Transportation Planning Support Program

Area Transportation Planning Support Program analyzes transportation in regional areas to provide funding for regional needs. Committees which comprise representatives from the local rural and urban municipalities, Regional Economic Development Authorities, Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association, Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities, and Highways and Infrastructure analyze local needs and the effects of the increased use of grain via truck transportation and the decreased use of rail transport is having on road infrastructure.
There are currently 9 committees which comprise the majority of Saskatchewan except for an area near La Ronge and Southend.
The Strategic Partnership Program analyzes low traffic volume thin membrane surface highways working with R.M.s and First Nation agencies to provide an effective and operational traffic flow between thin membrane surface highways and the provincial network.

Community Airport Partnership

Community Airport Partnership provides a mandate to the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure to maintain and assist southern airport infrastructure.

Adopt-A-Highway Program

Groups or individuals may sponsor a stretch of highway to pick up litter and maintain highway appearances.

History

During the term of office for Eiling Kramer, 1972–1980, the Provincial Highway received extensive funding and paving for the entire system neared completion.Saskatchewan Highway 11 was restructured under the term of office of David Boldt, Minister 1966-1971.
John T. Douglas, during his term of office 1944-1960 established the Saskatchewan Transportation Company as a Crown Corporation of the government. Alan Carl Stewart, Minister of Highways 1929-1934, allocated $20 million for highway construction in Saskatchewan. George Spence, Minister of Highways 1927-1929, was responsible for the initiation of numbering Saskatchewan highways.
The first Board of Highways Commissioners was appointed by the provincial government in 1912, and the first Department of Highways was established in 1917. On September 1, 1934, the name was changed from the Department of Highways to the Department of Highways and Transportation. Effective November 21, 2007 the Department of Highways and Transportation became the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure.

Past Ministers

TermMinisterTitleAdministrationSource
November 21, 2007Honourable Wayne ElhardHighways and Transportation Ministerunder Brad Wall
October 12, 2001 – November 21, 2007Honourable Mark WartmanHighways and Transportation Ministerunder Lorne Calvert
February 8, 2001- October 12, 2001Honourable Patricia AtkinsonHighways and Transportation Ministerunder Lorne Calvert
September 30, 1999 – February 8, 2001Honourable Maynard SonntagHighways and Transportation Ministerunder Roy Romanow
June 27, 1997- September 30, 1999Honourable Judy Llewellyn BradleyHighways and Transportation Ministerunder Roy Romanow
April 29, 1997 – June 27, 1997Honourable Clay J. SerbyHighways and Transportation Ministerunder Roy Romanow
September 20, 1993 - April 25, 1997Honourable Andrew L.J. RenaudHighways and Transportation Ministerunder Roy Romanow
June 4, 1993 – September 20, 1993Honourable Darrel CunninghamHighways and Transportation Ministerunder Roy Romanow
September 29, 1992 – June 4, 1993Honourable Murray James KoskieHighways and Transportation Ministerunder Roy Romanow
November 1, 1991 - September 29, 1992Honourable Bernhard H. WiensHighways and Transportation Ministerunder Roy Romanow
October 3, 1989 - November 1, 1991Honourable Sherwin PetersenHighways and Transportation Ministerunder Grant Devine
December 16, 1985 – October 3, 1989Honourable Grant Milton HodginsHighways and Transportation Ministerunder Grant Devine
December 4, 1985 – December 16, 1985Honourable Donald Grant DevineHighways and Transportation Ministerunder Grant Devine
May 8, 1982 – December 4, 1985Honourable James William Arthur GarnerHighways and Transportation Ministerunder Grant Devine
December 16, 1980 – May 8, 1982Honourable Robert Gavin LongHighways and Transportation Ministerunder Allan Blakeney
May 12, 1972 – December 16, 1980Honourable Eiling KramerHighways and Transportation Ministerunder Allan Blakeney
June 30, 1971- May 12, 1972Honourable Neil Erland ByersHighways and Transportation Ministerunder Allan Blakeney
October 18, 1966 – June 30, 1971Honourable David BoldtHighways and Transportation Ministerunder Ross Thatcher
May 22, 1964 – October 18, 1966Honourable Gordon Burton GrantHighways and Transportation Ministerunder Ross Thatcher
November 7, 1961 – May 22, 1964Honourable Clarence George WillisHighways and Transportation Ministerunder Woodrow Stanley Lloyd
August 1, 1960 – November 7, 1961Honourable Clarence George WillisHighways and Transportation Ministerunder Tommy Douglas
July 10, 1944 – August 1, 1960Honourable John T. DouglasHighways and Transportation Ministerunder Tommy Douglas
December 1, 1938 – July 10, 1944Honourable Arthur Thomas ProcterHighways and Transportation Ministerunder William John Patterson
November 3, 1938 – December 1, 1938Honourable William Franklin KerrHighways and Transportation Ministerunder William John Patterson
November 1, 1935 – November 3, 1938Honourable Charles Morton DunnHighways and Transportation Ministerunder William John Patterson
September 1, 1934 – November 1, 1935Honourable Charles Morton DunnHighways and Transportation Ministerunder James Garfield Gardiner
July 19, 1934 – September 1, 1934Honourable Charles Morton DunnMinister of Highwaysunder James Garfield Gardiner
September 9, 1929 – July 19, 1934Honourable Alan Carl StewartMinister of Highwaysunder James T.M. Anderson
December 8, 1927 - September 9, 1929Honourable George SpenceMinister of Highwaysunder James Garfield Gardiner
November 10, 1926 - December 8, 1927Honourable William John PattersonMinister of Highwaysunder James Garfield Gardiner
April 5, 1922 – November 10, 1926Honourable James Garfield GardinerMinister of Highwaysunder Charles Avery Dunning
June 14, 1921 – April 5, 1922Honourable Charles McGill HamiltonMinister of Highwaysunder William Melville Martin
October 20, 1917 – June 14, 1921Honourable Samuel John LattaMinister of Highwaysunder William Melville Martin
April 2, 1917 – October 20, 1917Honourable James Alexander CalderMinister of Highwaysunder William Melville Martin
1916 to 1922-No Department est.under William Melville Martin
1905–1916Honourable James Alexander CalderMinister of Railways, Telephones and Highwaysunder Thomas Walter Scott

Statistics