100 rural roads across Saskatchewan are getting money invested in them, and southwest Saskatchewan is no exception.

The money is being distributed to those RMs is coming from the Government of Saskatchewan over the next three years. The first installment of $13 million is being given to 36 RMs this year.

That money will cover 50 per cent of project costs to a maximum of $500,000.

Greg Ottenbreit, MLA of Yorkton and highways and infrastructure minister of Saskatchewan, said that in a time when the world needs the supply chain, supporting rural roads is important.

“All of our arteries are really key in getting our product to market, and especially those in rural areas know that our agriculture commodities are bound, most of the time, for national and international markets. We are an export-based economy.”

“It’s important to make sure these roads, these bridges, these culverts are kept up, and really good roadways, to make sure that our farmers, and particularly agriculture producers can get their products to market.”

He added that recent changes to the program give more wiggle room to RMs.

“We changed it so now you can apply for two years of funding instead of what previously was one year, so they can bank on a possible project over two years. It gives them time to plan and maybe stretch it out a bit.”

Southwest Saskatchewan RMs getting money for roads are Riverside, Pittville and Piapot.

Riverside and Piapot are getting clay capping projects, while Pittville is getting grading.

In addition, the maximum project cost per year was lowered from $750,000 to $500,000.

“They can apply for projects that are a little bit less expensive,” Ottenbreit said, “and they can stretch it out over longer periods of time to make sure they can commit to more infrastructure needs within their rural municipality.”

While built off of the basics of the Municipal Roads of the Economy Program, it was rebranded with these changes it is now known as the Rural Integrated Roads for Growth program.

The new project comes as a partnership with the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM). The minister added that the Government of Saskatchewan would likely make another announcement in partnership with SARM which focuses on rural bridges and culverts soon.

SARM’s role in the project was helping to decide the areas which were most in need across the province, in addition to the role they play in the rural economy.

Ottenbreit added that as projects would likely be awarded to local contractors across the province, it also helps stimulate the economy with extra work.