A plan for a new Integrated Commercial Transportation Project (ICTP) is coming together in the city.
“Over the last eight months representatives from the City Manager’s office, Planning & Engineering, Economic Development and Communications have been working with Lawmark Consulting on building an understanding of the transportation logistics chain for Yorkton and region. This research has led to a proposed project that will enhance certain transportation corridors and intersections. The purpose of these enhancements is to facilitate the movement of goods and services within and through the city and strengthens infrastructure connections,” explained a report from Gord Shaw, Director of Planning & Engineering with the City of Yorkton which was circulated to the regular meeting of Yorkton Council Monday.
The ICTP consists of several projects in a multi-phased, multi-year program focused on transportation improvements and facilitating land development adjacent to Grain Millers Drive, Sully Avenue North and Gladstone Avenue North by installing needed infrastructure, said Shaw.
The report further detailed, “This project incorporates the installation of infrastructure along key corridors to situate Yorkton and the region for future growth in value-added agricultural businesses while facilitating the movement of goods and services within and through the community. Investment in this project will enhance employment opportunities for the city as well as the region while improving our province’s competiveness in marketing our agricultural and manufactured products on the global stage.”
The first stage will require an investment of $21.4 million, which will include;
• Enhancement of Grain Millers Drive -- $9.90 million
• Enhancement of Sully Ave. North from LDC -- $2.28 million
• Enhancement of Gladstone Ave. North of Ball Road -- $2.47 million
In addition intersection upgrades, sanitary sewer lines and water lines will be included. The information collected over the last eight months demonstrates the ICTP is needed within this region, said Shaw.
“The ICTP was discussed at the January 14th meeting of the Yorkton District Planning Commission. City representatives identified the need for resolutions from the RM of Orkney and Wallace. Both jurisdictions will forward their resolutions supporting this initiative. Discussion about cost sharing was also initiated at this meeting,” continued the written report.
Shaw said the province has been kept informed of the proposed project.
The City Manager, Director of Planning & Engineering and John Law presented this project to representatives from the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure on January 20th, including the Assistant Deputy Minister. This presentation highlighted the need for transportation improvements in this region. The Ministry representatives identified an interest in further work with the city to understand the transportation demands in this region. They are to provide the city with an agreement in early February.
“As the third largest trading area in Saskatchewan, this region has witnessed phenomenal growth over the last seven to eight years that has significantly impacted traffic corridors outside of and within Yorkton. The ICTP addresses the concerns identified by stakeholders in the research leading up to this application,” concluded the report.
“The ICTP positions Yorkton and region for the next five, ten and twenty years in terms of addressing ongoing growth pressure experienced in the demand for Saskatchewan’s agricultural products,” offered Shaw.
Council was unanimous in a resolution which “supports the application for a Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component (PTIC) grant for Highways and Major Roads infrastructure from the New Building Canada Fund.”
