Rural Integrated Road for Growth Design Standards
Res #: 13-21A
Number: 13
Year: 2021
Midterm: No
Expired: No
Responses Received: Yes
Departments: Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure
WHEREAS the Rural Integrated Roads for Growth (RIRG) program’s minimum design standards for side slopes is 4:1 regardless of the height of the embankments of the road; and
WHEREAS when the height of the road embankment is in excess of 3.0 metres this minimum side slope requirement of 4:1 results in the side slopes being beyond the 42-metre required minimum right-of-way resulting in a significant increase to project cost; and
WHEREAS the Saskatchewan Highways Municipal Road Program Manual, 1996 minimum design standards for primary grid roads with an embankment height of more than 4.0 meters allows for a minimum side slope of 3:1; and
WHEREAS the present Ministry of Highways design criteria on super grid roads with an embankment height of more than 3.0 meters allows for a minimum side slope of 3:1.
BE IT RESOLVED the Rural Integrated Roads for Growth (RIRG) program’s minimum design standards for side slopes be changed to the standards provided in the Municipal Road Program Manual,1996 for primary grid roads or required by the Ministry of Highways design criteria for large embankments encountered on super grid roads.
Responses From: Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure
May 14, 2021
During the recent review of the RIRG SARM membership requested that the road design process be simplified.
The MoH super grid road design was adopted as the design standard for CTP and Heavy Haul corridors receiving funding through the RIRG program. Opportunities exist within the design for exceptions to be granted where road elevations present a design obstacle to maintaining design standards within the prescribed right of way. RIRG has established a process by which exceptions to the design standard can be requested.
During a recent Project Management Board meeting, MoH has committed to completing a jurisdictional review across Canada to determine the most consistent road design recommendation for rural roadways.
The Honourable Fred Bradshaw – Minister of Highways, Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure
