Highway 1 speed reduced in west Swift Current to improve safety

Maple Creek News

December 10, Highways Minister David Marit reminded motorists a portion of Trans-Canada Highway 1 through Swift Current now has its speed reduced to 80 km/hr to improve safety.

“Following a review of this corridor and a discussion with local municipalities, our government lowered the speed for traffic flowing on a portion of this route,” Marit said. “Enhancing safety of our provincial highway system is always the top priority.”

Speed signs recently went up along Highway 1 in the community alerting motorists to the reduction to 80 km/hr from 100 km/hr between 350 metres east of Lac Pelletier Trail to 2.4 km west of Lac Pelletier Trail.

“Thank you to our local municipal leaders who supported the Ministry of Highways’ moving forward to implement this change,” Education Minister and Swift Current MLA Everett Hindley said.

“The decision to reduce the speed limit on the Trans-Canada Highway to 80 kilometres per hour on the west end of Swift Current is an important step toward improving safety for all who travel within and through our community,” City of Swift Current Mayor Al Bridal said. “This measure will help reduce the risk of collisions in the high-traffic corridor and create a safer environment for residents and visitors alike, ensuring that Swift Current remains a welcoming and secure place to live, work, and visit.”

“I am glad to see the Ministry of Highways reducing the speed limit on the Trans Canada in this area to help address our concerns about semi trucks and large equipment accessing business adjacent to the highway,” RM of Swift Current No. 137 Reeve Ramona Dyck said. “We appreciate the effort to help reduce the risks of collisions.”

Between 2019 and 2024, 17 collisions have occurred (one of them fatal) on this Highway 1 corridor in the Swift Current area.

Motorists are reminded to check the Highway Hotline at https://hotline.gov.sk.ca/ before heading out. Saskatchewan’s provincial road information service provides details about road conditions throughout the year, construction zones, closures and incidents.

The Government of Saskatchewan has invested more than $13.8 billion in transportation infrastructure since 2008, improving more than 21,800 km of highways across the province.