The Ministry of Highways 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 David Marit.
The Operation Division has the responsibility of maintaining of asphalt concrete pavements, of granular pavements, of thin membrane surface (TMS) highways, of gravel highways, 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 (R.M.) for the municipal road network.
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:
During the term of office for Eiling Kramer, 1972âÂÂ1980, 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 1 September 1934, the name was changed from the Department of Highways to the Department of Highways and Transportation. Effective 21 November 2007 the Department of Highways and Transportation became the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure.
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 is responsible for the budgeting, finances, and forecasting for the needs of the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure.
The Communications Branch of the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure maintains the news releases, safety awareness and education programs.
Area Transportation Planning (ATP) 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 (REDA), 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 rural municipalities and First Nation agencies to provide an effective and operational traffic flow between thin membrane surface highways and the provincial network.
Community Airport Partnership (CAP) provides a mandate to the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure to maintain and assist southern airport infrastructure.
Groups or individuals may sponsor a stretch of highway to pick up litter and maintain highway appearances.