Six new road-condition cameras installed

The Highways and Infrastructure ministry has installed six new cameras at high-traffic roadways around the province, at a cost of $35,000 each.

The cameras refresh every 15 seconds to give drivers an idea of road and weather conditions in those areas.
The new additions bring the provincial total to 10, and are a result of demand, said Highways and Infrastructure spokesman Steve Shaheen.

"We're listening; the public have indicated they'd like to see more cameras available," said Shaheen. "It's obviously not a magic bullet because things like black ice are not always apparent, and even in the evening hours it's not always that easy to determine whether or not conditions are favourable," added Shaheen. "But it's just one more tool to enhance the Highway Hotline for the motoring public, because they've said they like to see images and as we know, pictures are worth a thousand words."

They also cost a lot of money - $210,000 in total for the new cameras.
Much of the cost, said Shaheen, relates to the installation - securing the posts so they don't sway in the wind.
Plus, "running power to some of these more remote locations can be an expensive proposition."
The Highway Hotline includes a phone line, website and social media.

Through those, "we're able to provide motorists with helpful information that plays into their decision making when heading out, or before heading out, with travel," said Shaheen.
Other enhancements to the Highway Hotline are coming soon, like new icons for the website map (one for Amber Alerts, one for accidents and spills, and one for weather warnings).

Access the Highway Hotline at www.saskatchewan. ca/highwayhotline, 306-787-7623, Twitter @SKGovHwyHotline, or www.facebook. com/Saskatchewan-HighwayHotline.

By the numbers
10 the number of highway cameras in the province
27 the number of highway closures due to severe weather or collisions, Nov. 3, 2013-April 11, 2014
3.2 million Highway Hotline web hits (April 1, 2013-March 31, 2014)
375,000 Highway Hotline calls (April 1, 2013-March 31, 2014)
23,527 likes on Facebook
14,920 followers on Twitter
97 the per-cent satisfaction level of Highway Hotline users, according to a February 2012 public opinion poll
Camera Locations

Trans-Canada Highway near Moose Jaw
Highway 2 near the St. Louis Bridge, south of Prince Albert
Highway 2 near Weyakwin
Highway 3 near Paradise Hill, northeast of Lloydminster
Highway 10 near Balgonie
Highway 10 near Avonhurst
Highway 11 near McDowall
Highway 11 south of Dundurn (Blackstrap)
Highway 11 at Davidson
Highway 16 at Borden Bridge, between Saskatoon and North Battleford