Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says his government will pay for half of the cost to upgrade a road deemed “critical” for the farming sector, particularly for canola production.
The road, Grain Millers Drive, located north of Yorkton and about 190 kilometres northeast of Regina, has been called a “vital transportation corridor” by the provincial government. It said the road supports “significant economic activity” in the area. The road offers access to North America’s largest canola crush factory and an oat mill, the province said.
The government of Saskatchewan said it would fund up to 50 percent of the improvement costs for Grain Millers Drive. The Ministry of Highways, City of Yorkton, and Rural Municipality of Orkney will be undertaking a “functional planning study” to determine what improvements are needed.
Premier Scott Moe says the road is a “critical access point” for major agri-businesses and industries.
“This is a key artery for the movement of goods and services, connecting local producers to national and international markets,” Moe said.
The government’s decision comes after China said it was imposing a tariff on Canadian canola. The nearly 76 percent tariff follows China’s “anti-dumping” investigation into the crop import from Canada, but came shortly after Canada ramped up tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum to curb dumping.
Sask. Road Study
The study of the road is expected to look at how the road can “support current traffic and planned industrial growth.”It will also report on paving options for the road, which is currently partially paved, as well as improvements to intersections with Highway 9 and Highway 16, the Saskatchewan government said.
Grain Millers Drive is a 7-kilometre stretch of road that connects two of the province’s highways. Both ends of the road are paved, with about 4.5 kilometres in the middle that is gravel, according to the province.
Saskatchewan’s Highways Minister David Marit said the project represented a “great example” of how provincial and municipal governments can work together and support the “export-based economy.”
“There are exciting things happening north of Yorkton and governments are working to support the industries that are the backbone of our continuing economic growth,” Marit said.
The improvements are expected to support the province’s agri-business sector, according to Yorkton Mayor Aaron Kienle.
“These improvements will ensure the road can safely and efficiently accommodate growth, both now and in the future,” Kienle said.
Grain Millers Drive offers access to Grain Millers Oat Mill and Richardson Oilseed, which is the largest canola crush facility in North America, the provincial government said.
A second canola crushing facility is also nearby, operated by Louis Dreyfus Company. The company announced plans to add a pea protein production facility in the area that was expected to be ready by the end of 2025.
