Government Of Saskatchewan Partnering With First Nations Entrepreneurs To Develop New Sign Delivery Program

September 22, 2020

The Government of Saskatchewan has established an agreement with SAGE Roadway Signs, a division of Saskatoon-based JNE Welding, to supply highway traffic signs.  It is part of a six-month pilot project.

There is a limited number of suppliers in Saskatchewan that produce road signs, so this has the potential to be an important partnership.
“Road signs are critical for highway safety and efficient travel and this agreement will help fill a void and improve turnaround times for new signage,” Highways and Infrastructure Minister Greg Ottenbreit said.  “This agreement demonstrates our commitment to Saskatchewan suppliers and helps a local company grow.”

“We are proud of this partnership with SAGE Roadway Signs and to have these signs made by Saskatchewan people,” Deputy Premier and Minister Responsible for SaskBuilds Gordon Wyant said.  “This is another example of the great work and ability of local businesses to step up and fill a need in this province.”

The pilot project will provide the ministry with more than 3,000 road signs including:

• 500 stop signs;
• 300 maximum speed 100 km/h signs;
• 300 yellow diamond left turn signs;
• 300 yellow diamond right turn signs;
• 200 do not enter signs;
• 160 maximum speed 80 km/h signs; and
• 80 deer crossing signs.

“We are extremely pleased to partner with the Government of Saskatchewan on this project,” JNE CEO Adam Logue said.  “This provides an opportunity to diversify our business and create employment opportunities for Indigenous people.  As well, this underscores the success of economic development initiatives on the part of our majority owners – Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation and English River First Nation.”

The pilot project has created two new jobs at SAGE Roadway Signs, with additional positions to be added as the business grows.

SAGE Roadway Signs is a division of JNE Welding. JNE Welding was founded in 1980 and provides custom fabrications to mining, oil and gas, oil sands and utility industries in Saskatchewan and Alberta. JNE employs more than 140 people, many of whom identify as Indigenous or Métis.

There are roughly 120,000 provincial road signs in Saskatchewan. The province repaired or replaced 13,000 of them last year.

If you have questions or concerns regarding safety, signage, work zones and more, reach out to the Highway Customer Service Centre. You can call Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at 1-844-SK-HIWAY or inquire anytime online.

The Government of Saskatchewan will improve more than 1,000 km of provincial highways this year, the first of its 10-year Growth Plan goal to build and upgrade 10,000 km of highways.  Another $300 million in highways stimulus funds will be invested over the next two years in thin-membrane surface upgrades, passing lanes and improvements to municipal roads and airports.

The Government of Saskatchewan has invested more than $9.8 billion in highways infrastructure since 2008, improving more than 15,800 km of Saskatchewan highways.

-30-

For more information, contact:

Steve Shaheen
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-933-5641
Email: steve.shaheen@gov.sk.ca

NT5