MREP Rating Factors
Res #: 22-18M
Number: 22
Year: 2018
Midterm: Yes
Expired: No
Responses Received: Yes
Departments: Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure
WHEREAS the Municipal Road for the Economy Program (MREP) provides funding for municipal roads supporting economic activity or resource development and carrying substantial traffic volumes in the form of heavy trucks or high-volume light traffic, with economic generators, including recreation destinations, but not including First Nations;
WHEREAS under the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure’s previous Municipal Road Program, which MREP has replaced, roads to regional parks, resorts, industries or oil fields and First Nations were considered as special roads being roads leading to, and used mainly by, traffic associated with regional parks, resorts, industries, oil fields and access to First Nations;
WHEREAS municipal roads that provide an interconnection between a First Nation and a provincial highway or an urban community support the economic activity and development on the First Nation and these municipal roads carry substantial traffic volumes;
BE IT RESOLVED that First Nations be added as a rating factor in the program guidelines for the Heavy Haul – High Volume Roads component of the Municipal Roads for the Economy Program (MREP).
View response from the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure
Responses From: Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure
October 6, 2022
On November 23, 2020, the Rural Integrated Roads for Growth Project Management Board adopted policy changes to include rating criteria for projects located on a roadway that is considered a First Nation community access road.
Commencing in 2018, the ministry undertook a comprehensive review of the Municipal Roads for Economy Program (MREP) and made changes to improve its effectiveness. The new program, titled Rural Integrated Roads for Growth, was adopted in 2020 and is administered by SARM and managed through a Program Management Board with representatives from both the SARM and the ministry.
A critical part of the Program Management Board is to bring in technical experts from both the ministry and SARM for the development of policies related to the Rural Integrated Roads for Growth program to improve the safety and quality of our rural infrastructure.
The Honourable Jeremy Cockrill – Minister of Highways and Infrastructure, Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure
