Resolution No. 16-01A

WHEREAS, road name signs are an asset to all persons driving Saskatchewan highways, whether it be tourists, visitors or local ratepayers; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Highways has revised their road name sign policy with the sole purpose of discouraging further road name signs from being placed on Saskatchewan highways; and

WHEREAS, this new policy will create a prohibitive expense for rural municipalities, should they wish to replace road name signs that are stolen and/or become in such a state of repair that they need to be replaced after a five year period;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that SARM request Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation adopt a cost policy that will be acceptable to rural municipalities.

Response from Hon. Pat Atkinson:

The department recognizes that road name signs provide and "address" for our rural residents of the province. The cost charged to the applicant for the signs is based on the principle of cost recovery only. The costs are calculated by using and average-cost formula.

Therefore, every RM is charged in the same manner, no matter where they are located in the province or the installation logistics of the individual signing request. If the department assumed responsibility for the road name signs, it would cost the department approximately $3.5 million to install signs at all Main Farm Access, Grid and Primary Grid Roads intersecting with provincial highways throughout the province.