Leveraging technology and incorporating new design standards in Saskatchewan fast-tracks twinning of Highway 3, enhancing public safety

A high-traffic route located west of Prince Albert in central Saskatchewan, Highway 3 had a record of collisions and fatalities. Recognizing the need to prevent future tragedies, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways selected Associated Engineering to assess highway safety, recommend safety upgrades, and complete the design and construction to twin Highway 3. The Ministry's vision was to transform the corridor into a four-lane highway from Highway 2 to the Shell River bridge, a total distance of 7.5 kilometres.

Project Manager, Shawn Fehr, tells us, "Compared to a typical one-year timeline, we completed the Preliminary Design Report for the Highway 3 twinning in only one month."

A major challenge was that the highway twinning had to be constructed within its existing right-of way.

"A standard twinned highway design was not feasible as widening the highway would have a major impact on the adjacent residential and businesses properties, and land acquisitions would create significant delays."

A significant achievement on this project was the research conducted to identify, recommend, and adopt design standards from Alberta and British Columbia, which had not previously been used for Saskatchewan highways. These included standards for a flush median cross section with concrete median barriers, and a protected left-turn intersection at four locations.

To confirm the recommended design, the team completed a LIDAR survey, GIS mapping, traffic modelling (PTV Vistro), and cross-section modelling (Civil 3D). In addition, we used video-based data collection, the latest traffic monitoring and assessment technology, to provide traffic counts and identify near-miss collisions at intersections. We also developed renderings using Infraworks 3D and conducted video fly-throughs.

"Working within the restrictions of the existing right-of-way, we significantly improved safety through controlled access and protected “T” intersections to reduce collisions with left-turning vehicles, as well as a concrete median barrier instead of the depressed median, typical for most twinned highways."

For the benefit of both the community and highway travellers/commuters, the design ensured access for adjacent landowners, while limiting direct access to Highway 3.

The preliminary design began in Spring 2021. Once the design was finalized, we worked with the utility companies through the winter of 2021-2022 to minimize the impact of relocations on the road construction work. The team also led communications with the public, including a website with project information and updates, along with the opportunity for visitors to submit questions and comments.

The Ministry wished to start construction in Fall 2021 and complete the improvements by the end of 2022 – an extremely ambitious timeline. Our fast-track approach facilitated design, construction, and opening of the upgraded highway to traffic in Fall 2022.

With an effective safety design permanently in place for this major highway corridor, the municipality can now proceed with complementary, sustainable urban planning, and commercial-industrial development.

The Highway 3 Twinning Project was completed on time, to the satisfaction of all stakeholders, and fully met the expectations of the Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways, enhancing safety for travellers and the public on this busy highway.

At the highway opening, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe remarked, “With the significant growth across our industries, this is an important infrastructure investment….it’s also an important investment into the safety of the thousands of people who travel it every day."

The Highway 3 Twinning project received an ACEC-SK Award of Merit in 2023.