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Highways Ditch Mowing

Res #: 12-24M
Number: 12
Year: 2024
Midterm: Yes
Expired: No
Responses Received: Yes
Departments: Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure

WHEREAS uncontrolled vegetation growth in ditches adjacent to provincial highways reduces the visibility of wildlife approaching the highway.

WHEREAS improved wildlife visibility may result in fewer accidents, fewer injuries, reduced costs to SGI, and improved safety for motorists.

WHEREAS SGI statistics indicate Animal Action (Wildlife) as the highest contributing factor to collisions with 23.7% in 2021 and 18.4% in 2022 of all collisions caused by wildlife.

BE IT RESOLVED that SARM lobby the Ministry of Highways to establish a policy of an annual 10 metre minimum cut with a 4-year rotation of a full cut for all highways other than four-lane highways.

Responses From: Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure

December 10, 2024

The ministry controls vegetation within the highway right-of-way through mowing. Most of the mowing is accomplished via tendered contracts, while some landowners often control vegetation adjacent to their land. In addition to these practices, some mowing is completed via agreements with rural municipalities. The ministry is required to balance the activities associated with managing a large transportation network, including mowing and road surface maintenance.

The ministry mows the highway right-of-way as required for the following reasons:

  • To optimize snow storage in the ditches and reduce drifting on the road surface.
  • To control brush and noxious weed growth.
  • To maintain acceptable sight distance on curves and at intersections.
  • To provide visibility of signs.
  • To control vegetation restrictions in ditches and drainage channels; and,
  • To give a neat appearance that is appropriate to the importance of a specific section of highway.

In 2021, the ministry expanded the mowing program. High-traffic two-lane highways now receive a 12 metre (m) cut and secondary highways receive an 8 m cut. Previously, these highways received a 4 m cut. In 2024, the ministry planned to complete approximately 44,500 hectares at an estimated cost of $3.8 million.

In 2015, the ministry started a study in collaboration with SARM to evaluate right-of-way mowing as a safety improvement for reducing wildlife collisions. Three highway sections were selected in consultation with SARM, where full ditch mowing is completed and wildlife collisions are monitored. To date, there has not been an improvement trend at these three sites based on the collision data gathered from the Traffic Accident Information System (TAIS) database, maintained by Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI).

The ministry is not considering making changes to the mowing program at this time, but will consider this resolution when future decisions are made.

The Honourable David Marit – Minister of Highways, Government of Saskatchewan