Saskatchewan Highway 956

Highway 956, also known as the Garson Lake Road, is a highway in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It runs from the Alberta border until Highway 155. The highway is 44 km (27 mi.) long.[1]

Highway 956
Garson Lake Road
Route information
Length44 km (27 mi)
Existed1999–present
Major junctions
West endAlberta border, near Garson Lake
Winter road continues west
East end Hwy 155 near La Loche
Location
Rural
municipalities		Northern Administration District
Highway system
Provincial highways in Saskatchewan
← Hwy 955→ Hwy 962

Highway 956 is meant to connect the community of La Loche to Fort McMurray, Alberta. Beyond the Alberta border, the same route continues west as the 65-km La Loche Winter Trail[2] winter road to Alberta Highway 881, about 25 km south of Anzac, Alberta and about 75 km south of Fort McMurray.

History
  • Construction began in 1986 and completed in 1999.[3]
  • In 1999, as part of the Saskatchewan provincial budget, a project was begun to gravel 30 km of Highway 956.[4]
  • In September 2005, to celebrate the centennials of Saskatchewan and Alberta, Saskatchewan Premier Lorne Calvert and Alberta Premier Ralph Klein announced a project costing $45 million to connect La Loche and Fort McMurray with an all-season road. The premiers explained that this would create economic and recreational opportunities, as well as improved access to services and schools.[5]
  • A crushing project and two clearing projects had been initiated by the time the 2006-2007 Saskatchewan Mid-Year Report was released. They were expected to be completed by the end of 2006.[6]
  • By May 2006, work began on improving Highway 956 as a joint project by the Alberta and Saskatchewan governments to connect La Loche and Fort McMurray.[7]
Highway 956 road bridge over the La Loche River

References
  1. MapArt (2007). Saskatchewan Road Atlas (Map) (2007 ed.). 1:540,000. Oshawa, ON: Peter Heiler Ltd. p. 4. ISBN 1-55368-020-0.
  2. "Winter Roads". Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. March 2018. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  3. "History of La Loche (Garson Lake Road)". Retrieved 2012-10-18.
  4. "PROVINCIAL BUDGET ADDRESSES NORTHERN PRIORITIES - Government of Saskatchewan". March 29, 1999. Retrieved 2007-07-06.
  5. "NEW ROAD WILL LINK NORTHERN SASKATCHEWAN TO ATHABASCA OIL SANDS - Government of Saskatchewan". September 15, 2006. Retrieved 2007-07-06.
  6. "Saskatchewan Province of · 18-K · For 3/31/06 · EX-99.F". March 31, 2006. Retrieved 2007-07-06.
  7. "2006 CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS BUILD ROADS TO PROSPERITY - Government of Saskatchewan". May 4, 2006. Retrieved 2007-07-06.


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