The Saskatchewan government has more than doubled the budget to repair a stretch of Highway 22 between Southey and Cupar after residents raised concerns about resurfacing work that was completed earlier this year. The section of the highway was resurcased this summer but the single seal coat is falilng under heavy traffic. Last week, residents in the area criticized the condition of the newly resurfaced highway, saying it was worse than before. The ministry now says an estimated $5.3 million is being invested in the project from the previous $2.2 million previously given. In a statement to CTV News, the ministry said the increase is the result of the project’s scope being expanded in August to include a double seal coat and repairs to failures in the road near Southey. “Road work began in early July 2026, faced challenging conditions due to this year’s wet construction season, and is expected to be completed by late fall 2026,” the ministry said. “More than 16 km segment between Southey and Cupar of the project involves mixing the highway driving surface followed by a double seal coat,” the province added. In addition, the ministry said the seal coat is intended to restore the driving surface and prevent further moisture from penetrating the roadbed, which will support the weight of traffic travelling on the highway. The work is expected to be done this fall with weather permitting.
