Drivers travelling between Melville and Fort Qu’Appelle will see significant changes on Highway 10 this year, as the provincial government officially launched the 2026 road construction season with a $17 million project to improve safety. Announced on May 8, 2026, by Government of Saskatchewan Highways Minister Kim Gartner, the project features the addition of eight new passing lanes along the route.
The construction effort aims to address traffic flow and safety for commuters, tourists, and the agricultural sector. In addition to the passing lanes, the project includes the construction of turning lanes at the Highway 47 junction in Melville, a cattle underpass east of Fort Qu’Appelle, guardrail replacements, and improvements to a nearby rest stop. Initial work, such as the installation of four bored culverts, took place last fall, with the entire project expected to reach completion by the end of 2026.
The province is also directing approximately $6 million toward routine road maintenance this year across the Yorkton, Melville, Esterhazy, Fort Qu’Appelle, and Leross areas. This work will include minor repairs and the application of fog seals on Highway 9 north of Yorkton and on various sections of Highway 10 between Yorkton and Melville.
As construction ramps up across the region, officials are urging motorists to exercise caution in work zones. Inspector Lee Knelson of Saskatchewan RCMP Traffic Services warned that enforcement will be present and that speeding fines in construction areas are substantial. Drivers can face penalties exceeding $1,000 for travelling 100 km/h in a 60 km/h construction zone.
These projects are part of a broader provincial effort to maintain the largest per capita highway network in Canada, which spans more than 26,500 kilometres. The 2026-27 provincial budget has allocated $764 million for highways, with $401 million of that total dedicated to capital projects.
