Highway 956, also known as the Garson Lake Road, is a provincial highway in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It runs from the Alberta border until Highway 155. It is about 44 kilometres (27 mi).[1]
Highway 956 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garson Lake Road | ||||
| Route information | ||||
| Maintained by Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure | ||||
| Length | 44 km (27 mi) | |||
| Existed | 1999–present | |||
| Major junctions | ||||
| West end | Alberta border, near Garson Lake Winter road continues west | |||
| East end |  Hwy 155 near La Loche | |||
| Location | ||||
| Country | Canada | |||
| Province | Saskatchewan | |||
| Rural municipalities | Northern Administration District | |||
| Highway system | ||||
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Highway 956 is meant to connect the community of La Loche to Fort McMurray, Alberta. Beyond the Alberta border, the same route continues west as the 65-km La Loche Winter Trail[2] winter road to Alberta Highway 881, about 25 kilometres (16 mi) south of Anzac, Alberta and about 75 kilometres (47 mi) south of Fort McMurray.
History edit
- Construction began in 1986 and completed in 1999.[3]
- In 1999, as part of the Saskatchewan provincial budget, a project was begun to gravel 30 kilometres (19 mi) of Highway 956.[4]
- In September 2005, to celebrate the centennials of Saskatchewan and Alberta, Saskatchewan Premier Lorne Calvert and Alberta Premier Ralph Klein announced a project costing $45 million to connect La Loche and Fort McMurray with an all-season road. The premiers explained that this would create economic and recreational opportunities, as well as improved access to services and schools.[5]
- A crushing project and two clearing projects had been initiated by the time the 2006–07 Saskatchewan Mid-Year Report was released. They were expected to be completed by the end of 2006.[6]
- By May 2006, work began on improving Highway 956 as a joint project by the Alberta and Saskatchewan governments to connect La Loche and Fort McMurray.[7]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ MapArt (2007). Saskatchewan Road Atlas (Map) (2007 ed.). 1:540,000. Oshawa, ON: Peter Heiler Ltd. p. 4. ISBN 1-55368-020-0.
- ^ "Winter Roads". Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. March 2018. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
- ^ "History of La Loche (Garson Lake Road)". Retrieved 18 October 2012.
- ^ "PROVINCIAL BUDGET ADDRESSES NORTHERN PRIORITIES - Government of Saskatchewan". 29 March 1999. Retrieved 6 July 2007.
- ^ "NEW ROAD WILL LINK NORTHERN SASKATCHEWAN TO ATHABASCA OIL SANDS - Government of Saskatchewan". 15 September 2006. Retrieved 6 July 2007.
- ^ "Saskatchewan Province of · 18-K · For 3/31/06 · EX-99.F". 31 March 2006. Retrieved 6 July 2007.
- ^ "2006 CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS BUILD ROADS TO PROSPERITY - Government of Saskatchewan". 4 May 2006. Retrieved 6 July 2007.